What is your first memory of Gus? Share a favorite memory you have of Gus. Tell us about a special moment you shared with Gus. Describe a time when Gus made you laugh or smile. What is something you will always remember about Gus? Talk about a shared experience you had with Gus. What is something you did together that you enjoyed? Describe a place or activity that reminds you of Gus. Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving Gus. What is something you learned from Gus?

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Gus Edward "OZARK IKE" Zernial Sr.

1923 - 2011

Gus Edward "OZARK IKE" Zernial Sr.

1923 - 2011

Obituary

Guest Book

BORN

1923

DIED

2011

Gus Zernial Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 21, 2011.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following.
Fresno Boys and Girls Clubs
Nancy Hinds Hospice 1416 W. Twain Fresno 93704
Grizzlies Youth Fund

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Recent Activity

January 31, 2011

Someone posted to the memorial.

January 31, 2011

Tom Hartmann posted to the memorial.

January 27, 2011

Fred Gomez posted to the memorial.

12 Entries

January 31, 2011

Rest in peace, Gus.

Tom Hartmann

January 31, 2011

My condolences to the Zernial family. I am so sad to here of his passing. I never met Gus but he was my boyhood idol as I was growing up in the Philadelphia area in the early '50s. I evened played with a Gus Zernial mitt. Even today I have several of Gus's, and other former A's, hanging on my wall at my home in South Carolina. He was a part of my childhood and I will always remember "Big Gus". Bless him and his family.
Tom Hartmann, Conway, South Carolina

Fred Gomez

January 27, 2011

To the Gus Zernial family, my heartfelt condolences on the loss of this wonderful person. I met Gus in the early 1970s when his daughter, Susan, who was also my wife, went backstage at the television station where he was working as a sports reporter. Gus had told us to meet him there and that he would take us out after the show. Loving sports all my life, I was in awe. I followed major league baseball from the time I was 5 years old and had heard of Gus Zernial. When I first met his daughter Susan, I was working with her in Westchester, California at a Broadway Department Store and went up to her and read her name tag. I told her that the only person I had ever heard of with the name of Zernial was a baseball player named Gus Zernial and I asked her if she had ever heard of him. She replied softly, "He's my father". We were married about a year later. Gus and his wonderful wife Marla were always so nice to both of us and always welcomed us into their home. They would always go out of their way to make us feel comfortable and helped us whenever they could. Susan and I divorced in 1983 and went our own ways but I never forgot the warmth Marla and Gus extended to me. Even when Susan and I had problems Gus would tell me that he would always be available to talk if it would help. Gus, and Marla as well as Susan, have never been far from my thoughts these past 25 or so years. I will always remember Gus with fondness and as a gentleman in every sense of the word. He always had a philosophy of treating others as you would like them to treat you. And he was always true to his word. In all sincerity, Gus Zernial was probably the nicest person I have ever met. Again, my heartfelt condolences to his wonderful, caring wife Marla, and his eldest daughter and my ex-wife Susan, and his youngest daughter Lisa as well as his two sons. Rest in peace, Gus, and have a great time in heaven with God and many of your friends who have passed before you. You lived a wonderful life!

Matthew Edmond

January 26, 2011

My condolences to the Zernial family. I didn't personally know Gus, but he's a legend and part of the Philadelphia baseball family. He will always be Connie Mack's 3rd great power slugger, in the same company as Frank Baker and Jimmie Foxx.

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Tony Franklin

January 26, 2011

I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working with Gus at the Chamber and the beginning days of the Stadium. I enjoyed his stories of A's and just how he loved the game of Baseball. He will missed at the games and both my sons Dylan and Ryan always enjoyed seeing him and talking to him at the ballpark. Gus you will be missed and I just wanted to thank you for our friendship.
God bless the Zernial family at this time of loss.
Tony Franklin (Clovis, Ca)

Cheryl Nold Cervantes

January 25, 2011

Dear Zernial Family,

Our deepest simpathy for the loss. My mother Gladys & father Edward Nold knew Gus & Marla from the 1950's in Detroit. Gus was with the Tigers and my Dad Edward Nold was with the Detroit Times newspaper. Then in 1960-61 our families moved from Michigan to Fresno and we were back fence neigbors with the Zernials over near the old Harpains Dairy (Granite Park) on
Cedar & Ashlan. I saw Gus a couple of years ago at a funeral of a prior boss of mine. It was great to talk to him. We was a very nice man.

Kathalene Kodman

January 24, 2011

I am so sorry about your loss. I loved Gus i used to work with him at Swanson-Fahrney Ford in the 80's. He was a great man. I loved the Dodgers and he use to get my family tickets and also tickets to the Hot Stove Dinners. My mom also worked with him Dixie Carrier. Our family loved him. May God be with you all through this diffucult time.
Kathalene Kodman Fresno, Ca

January 24, 2011

Robert Rugel

January 24, 2011

I met Gus a couple of years ago at the Phila. A's society in Hatboro Pa. and he couldnt have been nicer to us A's fans. My condolences to the Zernial family as he was truly a gentleman. Rob Rugel (Doylestown Pa.)

Gene Chandler

January 24, 2011

I have lived in the same neighborhood as Gus for over 18 years. I am sorry to admit I never got to talk to him. He had an impact on many young men, and I know he will find a place in heaven to swing that bat. Gene Chandler, Clovis CA

Jim Jentzen

January 23, 2011

My condolences to the Zernial family. I am terribly sorry for your loss.

My wife and I were fortunate to have met Gus three years ago at the Fresno baseball stadium. When I called him and told him he used to play ball with my step-father, he was kind enough to agree to meet me, since we had flown in from FL. When I told him I had pictures of him from the minors, he seemed as anxious as I was.
The acts of his generosity was something I never anticipated: He left us free tickets in will-call, he presented us with his book and photos which he later autographed, he sat with us during the entire game and shared old baseball stories, and later took us up to the Club, where we watched the Friday night fireworks after the game.
If spending one single evening with Gus was this memorable to a complete stranger and his wife, then I can only imagine how fortunate the closest friends and family of Mr. Zernial must feel to have known him so well.

Joe Brancato

January 22, 2011

I am truly sorry to hear about the passing of Gus Zernial. He was a great friend and I liked to listen to his major league stories.
Joe Brancato Phila. A's Museum Vol

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results

Funeral Services Provided By

Boice Funeral Home

308 Pollasky Ave, Clovis, CA 93612