Obituary of George Zelazo

George Zelazo, family man, decorated veteran, natty dresser, great-great grandfather and one heck of a dancer, died peacefully in his home on Wednesday, September 21, 2016. He was 97 years old. He was born at home in the mining community of Monaville, West Virginia. He lived with his mother, Anna Lazar, father, Frank Zelazo and grew up in very modest means with his four brothers, Steve, Frank, Charlie, Alfred and his sister, Anne. He began his young adult life in Berkeley, CA where he attended UC Berkeley, studying engineering. He met his first bride, Martha Jensen, at a dance. They had two children, George Christie and Pamela Marie. They lived happily for several years, yet divorced in the early 1950's. As a divorced man with two children, working at the Alameda Air Force base, he met, one night on the dance floor, the love of his life, Jean Caldwell. She was a beautiful, young widow with three children; Brenton, Rhonda and Glenys. They soon married and this now "Brady Bunch" took great care of each other for years to come. Then, after a dedicated life of defending this great country, George retired as a Federal Planner and Estimator for the Alameda Naval Air Station on February 23, 1979. He is survived by his children Chris, Pam, Rhonda and Glenys, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter, Sophia Marie. He had a life-long love affair with cabbage rolls, wood working, anything having to do with his late wife, Jean, fixing everything he could get his hands on, card games, dominos, that dang blue knit vest and his daily devotional and crossword puzzle. He was an avid league bowler, too. There was never any event, including his grandsons and great grandkids soccer, basketball, football or hockey games or Jean's doll shows that George wouldn't drive hours to watch. He moved to Santa Cruz in 2012 and enjoyed his years at Dominican Oaks, He always had a smile, a kind word, a story to tell or a song to sing. He was an inspiration to all that had the pleasure of knowing him. He was happy go lucky every time you saw him and had patience that would make other men envious. May the Lord watch over him and all those mourning for him. George, you will be truly missed. There will be a public viewing held on Friday October 14th from 5-7pm at Oakwood Chapel, 3301 Paul Sweet Rd, Santa Cruz, CA. George's Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 15th at 2pm at the Oakwood Chapel, with a reception to follow. Donations can be made, in his name, to Alzheimer's Association in honor of his wife, Jean.