Major Charles Frank Zinner Jr., age 73, of Safety Harbor, Florida, began his spiritual journey on October 29, 2025. His life was a testament to dedication—to his country, to his commitment to lifelong education, and a profound reverence for the natural world he so deeply cherished.
Born in Plant City, Florida, on November 16, 1951, Charles developed an early love for athletics and the outdoors. A proud graduate of Plant City High School in 1969, he excelled as a multi-sport athlete in football, cross-country, weightlifting, and track and field, focusing on long-distance events and hurdles. He earned athletic scholarships to both Mantee Jr. College and Florida State University, where he competed as a revered "Track Star," winning and placing in multiple events and marathons. His participation in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and family tradition sparked a passion for farming and the natural world that would last his lifetime.
🎖️ A Dedicated Veteran and Military Intelligence Officer A proud and distinguished veteran, Charles served for over two decades in the U.S. Army, including ten years with the elite 11th Special Forces Group. He was a proud paratrooper and rose to the rank of Major (O-4) in the U.S. Army Reserve Military Intelligence Branch (35 Series), infantry-branch qualified. His specialized roles included service as a 96C interrogator and Polish linguist, as well as a 96B order of battle analyst to be deployed in key locations around the world, including Afghanistan, Baghdad, MacDill Air Force Base, the United Kingdom, and the Pentagon.
🎓 Pursuit of Lifelong Learning
Charles was a true believer in the power of education. His pursuit of higher learning earned him academic scholarships to Manatee Junior College in 1969 and then Florida State University in 1971, where he earned a B.A. in History with a minor in Political Science in 1973. His academic journey continued with advanced degrees from the University of Florida: an M.S. in Agriculture, with a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership in 1979. Charles spent time with the UF Agriculture Extension Office in Sumter County, where he served as head educator, bringing new and updated practices to the area. Further embodying his enduring curiosity, he studied martial arts in the forms of Tai Chi, Chi Gong, Chinese medicine, and Reiki, achieving mastery and educator levels in these practices.
🌲 A “MacGyver” in Nature
Charles found his greatest joy and adventure outdoors. A self-described “MacGyver,” he embraced life with enthusiasm, pursuing his every interest: hiking to remote waterfalls, kayaking serene waters, camping beneath starry skies, desert hikes, zip-lining, and even skydiving. Charles loved sharing his passion for the outdoors with his family, as remembered by the many adventures shared with them.
Charles will be remembered by those who knew him for his kindness, strength, humbleness, gentle spirit, protectiveness, and wonderful sense of humor.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marcy Jean Zinner; his father, Charles F. Zinner; and his mother, Virginia Zinner.
Charles is survived by his daughter, Amy Hickman; his son-in-law, Chad Hickman; his granddaughter, Hailey Hickman; his granddaughter, Peyton Hickman; his stepchildren, Jeff Horn and Tina Horn; his step-grandson, Jordan Litowchak; his brother, Jim Zinner; and his sister, Carol Lynn Zinner-Grigsby.
A Celebration of Life will be held on November 9, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 2853 Sunset Point Rd.
May his memory be a source of comfort to all who knew him, and may his legacy live on through the lives he touched so deeply.
Born in Plant City, Florida, on November 16, 1951, Charles developed an early love for athletics and the outdoors. A proud graduate of Plant City High School in 1969, he excelled as a multi-sport athlete in football, cross-country, weightlifting, and track and field, focusing on long-distance events and hurdles. He earned athletic scholarships to both Mantee Jr. College and Florida State University, where he competed as a revered "Track Star," winning and placing in multiple events and marathons. His participation in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and family tradition sparked a passion for farming and the natural world that would last his lifetime.
🎖️ A Dedicated Veteran and Military Intelligence Officer A proud and distinguished veteran, Charles served for over two decades in the U.S. Army, including ten years with the elite 11th Special Forces Group. He was a proud paratrooper and rose to the rank of Major (O-4) in the U.S. Army Reserve Military Intelligence Branch (35 Series), infantry-branch qualified. His specialized roles included service as a 96C interrogator and Polish linguist, as well as a 96B order of battle analyst to be deployed in key locations around the world, including Afghanistan, Baghdad, MacDill Air Force Base, the United Kingdom, and the Pentagon.
🎓 Pursuit of Lifelong Learning
Charles was a true believer in the power of education. His pursuit of higher learning earned him academic scholarships to Manatee Junior College in 1969 and then Florida State University in 1971, where he earned a B.A. in History with a minor in Political Science in 1973. His academic journey continued with advanced degrees from the University of Florida: an M.S. in Agriculture, with a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership in 1979. Charles spent time with the UF Agriculture Extension Office in Sumter County, where he served as head educator, bringing new and updated practices to the area. Further embodying his enduring curiosity, he studied martial arts in the forms of Tai Chi, Chi Gong, Chinese medicine, and Reiki, achieving mastery and educator levels in these practices.
🌲 A “MacGyver” in Nature
Charles found his greatest joy and adventure outdoors. A self-described “MacGyver,” he embraced life with enthusiasm, pursuing his every interest: hiking to remote waterfalls, kayaking serene waters, camping beneath starry skies, desert hikes, zip-lining, and even skydiving. Charles loved sharing his passion for the outdoors with his family, as remembered by the many adventures shared with them.
Charles will be remembered by those who knew him for his kindness, strength, humbleness, gentle spirit, protectiveness, and wonderful sense of humor.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marcy Jean Zinner; his father, Charles F. Zinner; and his mother, Virginia Zinner.
Charles is survived by his daughter, Amy Hickman; his son-in-law, Chad Hickman; his granddaughter, Hailey Hickman; his granddaughter, Peyton Hickman; his stepchildren, Jeff Horn and Tina Horn; his step-grandson, Jordan Litowchak; his brother, Jim Zinner; and his sister, Carol Lynn Zinner-Grigsby.
A Celebration of Life will be held on November 9, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 2853 Sunset Point Rd.
May his memory be a source of comfort to all who knew him, and may his legacy live on through the lives he touched so deeply.
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