Earl D. Van Zandt

Earl Van Zandt passed from this life on August 15, 2010, at his home with his family. He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on April 3, 1925. His parents were Katherine Kelly Van Zandt and Ernest B. Van Zandt. Earl’s early years were spent in Upton County, Texas where his father was County Judge. A sister, Marilyn, was born in 1934.

Earl attended school in McCamey and Rankin. He entered Rankin High School to “major in sports” and excelled at team sports and track and field, serving as captain of both basketball and football teams in his senior year. He also was honored for having the highest point average of all the boys.

At graduation, Earl received a scholarship to Schreiner Institute in Kerrville, Texas and began college in the fall of 1942. In January, 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After basic training, he was transferred to the 121st Naval Construction Battalion, the “Seabees,” which joined the 4th Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California. While there, Earl was an extra in the movie, “The Fighting Seabees.”

Shipping out with the 4th Marine Division in January 1944, they went directly to the Pacific Theater, serving through one campaign in the Marshall Islands and two on Saipan and Tinian. In the Marshalls, the 121st battalion lost everything they had under a major assault on the island. The ship, however, was spared and they lived on rice on the way to Hawaii for respite. Then followed the invasions of Saipan and Tinian where the Seabees built landing strips for B-29 bombers, control towers, and housing. They took supplies and ammunition, often under fire and in foxholes, ahead for the Marines. For outstanding performance during the seizure of these islands, the 121st won the Presidential Unit Citation.

The Seabees were detached from the 4th Marine Division and were established as the leading Battalion in the 6th Naval Brigade. They built the largest air field in the world at that time on Tinian. As they were planning for the invasion of Honshu, the war ended. Earl returned to Austin in February of 1946 where his family then lived.

Earl entered the University of Texas in the fall of 1946. He also met his wife that year, Cleda Burleson, whom he had known in Rankin, and was now also at UT. They were married on June 1st, 1946, at First Methodist Church in Rankin and lived happily for 61 years together. In Austin, Earl also attended St. Louis Catholic Church, St. John’s Methodist Church, and North West Hills United Methodist Church.

After graduation from UT with a BBA, Earl went to work at the State Welfare Department and later at the State Health Department as an Accounting Machine Operator until 1953, when he joined Austex Foods, Inc. and became Operations Supervisor. He remained at Austex until he returned to the State in the Franchise Tax Division as Tax Examiner and Accounts Supervisor. He had a good head for accounting and was respected for his expertise in tax law.

Early in their marriage, Cleda and Earl bought a boat and spent many afternoons at Lake Austin and Lake Travis. Many friends from Austex did the same and it was a wonderful time. Earl taught his children and friends how to water ski and the family continued taking long, lake outings all around central Texas through the years, with children, spouses, and six grandchildren along. Earl loved the outdoors and the game of golf which brought many long friendships.

Earl took early retirement in 1985 and enjoyed a new life back at home, doing carpentry and building projects for his family and friends, putting his Seabee training to use. He was an all-around capable person. There was no project he could not do and do beautifully. He spent many lunch times with his mother, laughing over memories and helping her with home repairs. He enjoyed traveling with Cleda on many adventures. Earl is most remembered as a generous and compassionate man with an ability to enjoy life. He loved telling funny stories to his children and grandchildren, even in his final days.

Preceding Earl in death was his wife, Cleda, his parents, and many of his friends. He is survived by his sister, Marilyn Johnson and husband Raymond, and their children, Alan, Sheryl, and Kathy and their families. He is also survived by daughter Linda Turner, her husband Billie and children Bill and Kelly; daughter Brena Benjamin, her husband Tom and children Paul and Jane; and son Wesley “Butch” Van Zandt and his children Charlie and daughter Katie, married to Chris Compton. He is also survived by nieces and nephews and many others who loved him.

Out heartfelt thanks to Hospice Austin, for their kind compassion and help during the last weeks of Earl’s life.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 19, 2010 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home with graveside services to follow at 11:30 a.m. at Austin Memorial Park, with Reverend Madeline Henners officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78759.