Raymond D. Zarker

1923 - 2016

Raymond D. Zarker

July 10, 1923 - August 9, 2016

The "Greatest Generation" lost another of its charter members this week with the passing of Raymond Dennis Zarker. Ray was born in Topeka, Kansas and spent his young years between Kansas City and Denver. His parents divorced when he was five and his mother died when he was ten. He then spent the rest of his childhood "on the road" with his father, traveling around the western states in search of work. This was all during the "great depression" and times were very difficult for them. At the age of sixteen he left home and joined the United States Marine Corps, lying about his age to gain acceptance.

His six years as a Marine were the proudest of his life. He served three years of sea duty on the USS Chicago and USS Louisville, and three years with the infantry. He bravely fought in battle at Guadalcanal, Okinawa, the Coral Sea, and the Aleutians.

While on a rare leave in 1943, he met a beautiful young nursing student, Lenore Jump, on a train ride from California to Missouri. They corresponded by letter until his next leave over a year later. They quickly married and spent only three days together until he left again, returning after war's end. They enjoyed a long, loving and happy marriage that lasted nearly 71 years, until Lenore's death in 2015. They settled in California in 1947 and moved to Concord in 1955. Anyone searching for the meaning of "commitment" need only look at their marriage for inspiration.

Their union produced two children, Suzan (& Greg) Kracke of Newcastle and Brian (& Margo) Zarker of El Granada, ten grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. All will miss him very much.

Ray enjoyed a long career in electrical construction as a member of IBEW Local 6 in San Francisco. He was in charge of the electrical installation for many of the large buildings in the financial district and other large projects throughout the Bay Area. His primary hobbies were golfing and flying his own airplane. He was also a voracious reader, becoming self-educated in many subjects from history to astrophysics. He and Lenore also loved to travel, visiting all fifty states and many countries on several continents, enjoying many cultures and adventures.

Throughout his long life, he never complained and was always happy and upbeat. He loved his friends and social life and was always there for his family. Even upon hearing that he was terminally ill two weeks ago, he responded "What the hell, I've had a great life". He truly made the most of his 93 years on this earth. Now you can rest in peace, Dad. We all love you.