Roy Louie Zorr

Roy L. Zorr, age 99, of Yakima, Washington, passed away September 29, 2018. He was born October 19, 1918 in Hawarden, Iowa, the youngest of four children (Beulah, Viola, Ray, and Roy) born to Emil Zorr and Mary (Brinckman) Zorr.

He graduated from Salem High School in Salem, South Dakota May 21, 1937 and worked as a Dairy Products Foreman prior to enlisting in the army. He was inducted into the United States Army July 17, 1942 where he served as a Message Center Chief, Technical Sergeant during WWII in Northern France and Central Europe. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal and three Overseas Service Bars before he was honorably discharged on December 10, 1945.

After the war Roy moved west to Sunnyside, WA where he began working for the Union Pacific Railroad. It was in Sunnyside, WA where he married Ethel (Smith) Fordyce on March 8, 1949. In addition to Roy working for the railroad, he and Ethel farmed five acres of asparagus. His position with the railroad moved them and their two daughters to Yakima in 1958. He retired from the railroad in 1984 after 35 years as the Freight Agent/Manager. Roy was a loyal member of the Transportation Communications International Union for almost 70 years.

Golf was his passion and he continued to play weekly through his 97th birthday. He was an avid follower of sports and current events and could quote the daily happenings of the stock market. Roy was an excellent cribbage player and enjoyed playing with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Marie Zorr, and stepson Jack Fordyce. He is survived by his daughters Jean Zorr-Uebelacker (Walter), and Joyce Benoit (Paul), stepson Warren Fordyce (Madelyn), grandsons Sam Uebelacker, Hank Uebelacker (Richelle), Will Uebelacker, Riley Benoit; granddaughter Rebecca Benoit, great granddaughter Briar Uebelacker, and step grandchildren Lori Straus (Jamie), Susan Smith (Mark) and step great grandchildren Jake Straus, and Molly and Bradley Smith.

At his request there will be no service. Immediate family members will gather on his 100th birthday to honor his life.

We would like to thank the staff at Fieldstone Orchard West for helping to make the assisted living facility his home away from home for the last 1 ½ years and the staff at Virginia Mason for their thoughtful care during his last few days.