Harold was born on Tuesday May 31, 1932, in Jourdanton, Texas to William and Martha Zuhlke. The middle brother of three boys, he graduated from Jourdanton High School in 1949. Harold immediately enlisted in the US Army. He was posted at Fort Ord and then onto Okinawa for more than two years before being honorable discharged at Fort Ord in January 1953.
Following his service, he enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering on his birthday in 1958. In 1952 fate intervened when Harold’s sister-in-law Georgie introduced him to her pretty red-haired friend, Marylin Thane. Married on August 20, 1955, they enjoyed 67 years of marriage. Harold and Marylin were blessed with two children: Joyce Ann in 1965 and David Harold in 1969.
He worked for the Texas Highway Department (TxDOT) in District 16 from 1958 to 1987, based out of both Corpus Christi and Sinton. He retired as District Maintenance Engineer in 1987 on his 55th birthday.
If you knew Harold, you knew he loved his family, to travel, to gamble (just a little) and the Texas Longhorns. He unapologetically packed his closet with burnt orange and white. Many times, he managed to combine these loves by faithfully attending UT home games in Austin for decades and by him and mom treating both their children and all the grandchildren to a trip to Las Vegas/Lake Tahoe to celebrate each of their 21st birthdays.
Harold is survived by his wife Marylin, his daughter Joyce Ann Sisler, his son David Zuhlke and wife Laura, his grandchildren Kathryn Sisler (Christian), Austin Sisler (Kelsey), Allyson Wylie (Will), Jacob Zuhlke, and Melissa Hennigan (Sean) along with several nieces and nephews and a double cousin, Ethel Biddle.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Martha Zuhlke; his brothers Billy and Richard, and his son-in-law, Jim Sisler.
Harold, aka Dad/Pop/PawPaw/Mr. Bevo will be dearly missed. His “So glad you got to see me” always brought about a smile.
In lieu of flowers, donations made to St Marks Lutheran Church 4620 S. Alameda Street, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412 would be appreciated.
Serving as pallbearers:
Jacob Zuhlke, Austin Sisler, Sean Hennigan, Will Wylie, Christian Buckler, Gerald Zuhlke
Honorary pallbearers: Jesus (Chuckie) Cruz, Jimmy Buehrig
A visitation for Harold will be held Thursday, October 6, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel - Memorial Holly, 3442 Holly Rd, Corpus Christi, Texas 78415. A chapel service will occur Friday, October 7, 2022 at 10:00 AM, 3442 Holly Rd, Corpus Christi, Texas 78415. An interment will occur Friday, October 7, 2022 at 3:00 PM at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, 1702 Tx-97, Jourdanton, TX 78026.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelMHolly.com for the Zuhlke family.
