John Raymond Zachary, Jr.
July 9, 1917 ~ February 19, 2006
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
John Raymond Zachary, Jr., 88, of 7 Valle Vista Drive, Asheville, died peacefully Sunday, February 19, 2006, at Asheville Manor.
Ray is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 48 years, Kay Smith Zachary. He is also survived by his five children, Judi Hagan (Jim) of Arden NC, Judy Holscher(Jack), John Raymond Zachary III, Carol Leppa (Steve), and Jane Brattain (Don). The latter four children live in Minnesota along with Ray’s eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. Ray, the oldest of six children of Nell Knight and John Raymond Zachary, is also survived by his sister Elizabeth (Lib) Ferguson.
Following Ray’s service in WW II, he enjoyed a successful career in the office machines business, eventually owning and operating Zachary Office Machines until his illness in 1975. Ray was active in the Sertoma Club and became a lifetime member of Sertoma International. He and his wife Kay were members of Central United Methodist Church.
Ray’s family will receive friends on Monday, February 20 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue.
A final service to remember and celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Richard R. Smyth officiating. This will be followed by interment at Lewis Memorial Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice or to the Asheville Manor Activity Fund, 308 Overlook Road, Asheville NC 28803.
Kay and Family, I was distressed to hear about Ray. We are never ready to lose our loved ones. I just hope in some small way it helps to know that others do care. Mary
Judi & Kay –
Our prayers are with you during this time of grief.
Love,
Roy, Susan & Brantley
Ray was a wonderful friend who brought much love and laughter into our lives. He was thoughtful and a true gentleman. He was lucky to have such a loving wife who also has given us much love and laughter. May God welcome Ray home with open arms and may the angels watch over Kay. We love you guys!!Brenda & Ron
Dear Kay, Judi and Family
There are so many wonderful memories of Ray locked in our hearts to remain until we see him again. Your devotion and that of Judi and the rest of your family goes unsurpassed. You are so special to all of us.
God Bless
We love you
Betty, Johnny and Roger
Dear Kay, Judy, and family,
Ray was a favorite of ours. We will miss him. Kay you were such an inspiration to us all in the love that you showed to Ray. We know you will feel the loss of such a special man for a long time to come, but please try to remember our prayers will go out for you often. Kay, if you feel able please come by the manor and visit with us from time to time. We all loved you also, we felt like you were part of the ‘family’?. With love and prayers.
Care and Concern from the residents and staff of Asheville Manor
My thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of bereavement.
Ann Parkey
(Faye’s friend with the walker)
Dear Kay,
My love and devotion is sent to you and your family. It is a beautiful Sunday morning, which is a wonderful time to meet God…in the morning, and especially on Sunday.
Ray was such a perfect gentleman, a neat dresser, and a man of distinction. I recall that he often quoted a former teacher who said:
‘There is so much bad in the best of us;
There is so much good in the worst of us,
That it hardly behooves any of us
To talk bad about the rest of us.’
I hope that you can lean on the everlasting arms of God and receive strength from looking up to our mountains.
As a good neighbor and friend, may our love endure forever.
Dear Kay,
My love and devotion is sent to you and your family. It is a beautiful Sunday morning, which is a wonderful time to meet God…in the morning, and especially on Sunday.
Ray was such a perfect gentleman, a neat dresser, and a man of distinction. I recall that he often quoted a former teacher who said:
‘There is so much bad in the best of us;
There is so much good in the worst of us,
That it hardly behooves any of us
To talk bad about the rest of us.’
I hope that you can lean on the everlasting arms of God and receive strength from looking up to our mountains.
As a good neighbor and friend, may our love endure forever.
Dear Kay, Judi and Jim,
We send our deepest sympathy and love to each of you. I echo Mother’s sentiments in that Ray was such a perfect gentleman…so dignified and distinguished. He thrived on your love and devotion, and you filled every day of his life with joy.
May you be comforted by each other and the many friends who love you.
TO OUR DEAR FRIEND KAY
THERE ARE SO MANY MEMORIES
THAT COME INTO MIND
AS WE SIT AT THIS COMPUTER
TO COMPOSE THIS FRIENDSHIP RHYME.
THE RED CADILLAC APPEARS CLEARLY
EVEN THROUGH A FOGGY STATE
AS DOES TIME IN THE RED ROOM
BUT THAT’S AN EARLIER DATE.
TEARS FROM JOY,
LAUGHTER AND SORROW
SHARING OUR BELIEFS IN TODAY
AND OUR HOPES FOR TOMORROW.
WE CAN CREATE MANY POEMS
FULL OF MEMORY AND RHYME
BECAUSE RAY WILL BE WITH US
TILL THE END OF TIME.
WITH LOVE
GARY & SHELLI
Kay:
Your in our thoughts and prayers. Next time your at Betty’s have her to call me so we can talk.
Jan