Dan Zanowiak Obituary

Dan Zanowiak, 59, of Edmond, Oklahoma, passed from this life on Wednesday night, September 26, 2007, in Oklahoma City. Dan was born on April 23, 1948, in Lubbock, TX, to Paul Peter and Mary Jo Zanowiak. He attended high school in Pasadena, TX, and earned his Bachelor's degree in Mathematics in 1973 from the University of Texas at Arlington. On June 10th, 1970, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Donna Jorgenson, in Durant, Oklahoma. Their marriage was blessed with the birth of two wonderful sons, Zac and Zeb. The family moved to Edmond, Oklahoma in 1981, where he continued teaching with the Edmond public schools, touching thousands of lives throughout his high school teaching career. 'Mr. Z' retired from teaching in 2004, and enjoyed three wonderful years of retirement. His most significant legacy was the level of devotion he had towards his family and love for his friends, all who will miss him dearly. He will live on through his family and friends and through the legacy of students he taught. Dan is preceded in death by his father, Paul Peter Zanowiak; and brother, Paul Peter Zanowiak II. Dan is survived by his wife, Donna; his mother, Mary Jo of Houston, TX; his two sons: Zac of Edmond, Zeb and wife Shelly of Houston, TX; his brother, Larry and wife Janey of Mineral Wells, TX; his mother-in-law Lola Jorgenson of Edmond; and his three sisters-in-law of Edmond: Linda Horton, Karen Giddy and husband Don, and Lorna Williams and husband David. He is also survived by nieces and nephews: Scott Horton of Fort Worth, TX; Kristy Brummitt of Edmond; Brad Horton of Edmond; Julie Koiner of Edmond; Szalan Boadman of Houston, TX; Collyn Brown of Dallas, TX; Jonathan Zanowiak of Amarillo, TX; Kendall Zanowiak of Austin, TX; Terranne Williams of Edmond; Kyle Williams of Edmond; and MacKenzie Williams of Edmond; and 17 great nieces and nephews. Dan was anxiously awaiting the birth of his first grandson later this year. Visitation will be held Saturday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Baggerley Funeral home in Edmond. A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 PM on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007 also at Baggerley Funeral Home.

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Published by Oklahoman on Sep. 29, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Dan Zanowiak

Sponsored by his loved ones.

9 Entries

Mark Rhoads

April 15, 2010

I was on the Brazos River trip that Mike referred to. It was supposed to be a 1 day trip but the river didn't cooperate. We had mucho beer but little food. I shot a squirrel and we shared it equally (think I got a leg) and we slept on the ground. Dan's mother met us at the bridge with KFC. It was like Heaven.

Mark Rhoads

April 14, 2010

I am heart broken to find that Dan is no longer with us. As freshmen at ACU, we quickly became friends and roommates and soon pledged together in the Phi Delta Psi fraternity. I was the witness/best man at his wedding with Donna in Oklahoma. I loved Dan as a brother.

Mike Brinson

September 8, 2009

Dan and I went to Abilene Christian College together. Lots of fond memories and good times in Abilene with Dan. Especially the river trip down the Brazos during spring break 1 year. Lost track of Dan and sorry to hear of his passing.

Aunchun MS. Intayod

May 13, 2008

I.m so sorry and so sad for your dad.God will save him to the heaven. From ann (Chiangmai Thailand) I miss Dr.Z too.

Zeb Zanowiak

October 5, 2007

Please also view the memorial website at:
danzanowiakmemorial.blogspot.com

Zeb

October 5, 2007

My dad was a very special person who I will miss every single day. Even though he is gone, I will continue learning from him as he is the model of person for which I will always strive to be. It is the values that he held dear: devotion to family and friends; a hunger for learning; and an unparalleled work ethic that I intend to teach his grandchild… to be born later this year.

Thank you all for your touching stories. They reinforce our belief that my dad left a very large legacy of people whose lives were touched.

I am and will always be my father's son.

Julie Owens

October 5, 2007

Mr. Z was a great teacher and will be greatly missed. I have a lot of mental blockers about Math, but with his help I passed! He had such a patient and real way to teach his students. My prayers go out to his family.

Julie Owens
Edmond Santa Fe '99

Ashley Martin (class of '96)

September 29, 2007

Mr. Z was my math teacher at Santa Fe High School during the '93-'94 school year. I was terrible at math and didn't put in much effort, but it never stopped him from trying to get me through it. I was saddened to hear of his passing today and I'm thinking of his family. I'm also thinking of the hundreds, probably thousands of students whose lives he touched through his teaching.

Karen & John Winham

September 29, 2007

Dan is a part of our extended family. We will miss his quiet way and dry humor. You are in our thoughts & prayers at this time and in the days ahead. We love you all.

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