R. Edward Zike

R. Edward Zike, a 41-year resident of Las Vegas, died April. 17, 2004. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Ed was a retired hotel/casino executive having worked in many of the major strip properties. He started his career as a bellman, worked as a desk clerk, became the youngest hotel manager at the Sands and later was a general manager. He left the hotel side of the industry to become involved in the casino. He was an executive casino host and a vice president of casino marketing for 15 years. Ed is survived by his wife of 39 years, Kay; son, Tripp (Debbie) of Las Vegas; daughter, Tara Barnett (Brady) of Nashville, Tenn.; and his beloved grandchildren, Dilon, Taylor, Kyle, Trinity and Hunter. He also leaves a very special "Buddy" his mother-in-law, Nettie Geisler; brother, Michael of Atlanta; four sisters, Phyllis Scott of Indiana, Pat Case of Ohio, June Biehl of Florida and Janet Ebel of Illinois; numerous nieces and nephews; and many many friends around the country. Services are private. Memorial donations can be made to the UNLV Hotel School Scholarship Fund.