Ray O. Zimmerman, 81, an educator and administrator who retired from the Montgomery County school system as director of the department of school services, died of congestive heart failure Aug. 30 at home in Bethesda.

Mr. Zimmerman began his career in education in 1946 as a mathematics teacher at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. Later he was a guidance counselor and a vice principal there. In 1965, he left B-CC to become principal of North Bethesda Junior High School, then moved to the school system's administrative offices in Rockville, where he retired in 1974.

 He was survived by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy Zimmerman of Bethesda; two daughters, Sandra Zimmerman of Washington and Dee Taylor of Bethesda; and two grandchildren