Virgil J. Zipper

Virgil Joseph Zipper was born at home in Muenster, Texas 91 years ago. He is the son of Joe Zipper and Josephine Ann Burger and the younger twin of Virginia. The family moved to Tishomingo, Oklahoma in 1929 because of the Great Depression and to Dallas, Texas in 1935 to escape the Dust Bowl.

After the move to Dallas, Virgil attended St. Edward’s Catholic Grade School followed by St. Joseph’s Central High School where he played both football and baseball. After graduation, in May 1941, he worked for the Dallas Morning News. On December 7th, 1941 he was one of the first people in Dallas to learn about the attack on Pearl Harbor. As District Manager for news carriers, he was called in to help with the EXTRA edition.

In 1942 Virgil joined the war effort by helping to build the VA Hospital in Temple, Texas; the Army base in Clovis, N.M.; the POW camp for German and Italian prisoners in Hereford, Texas; barracks at Fort Hood and the Air Force Base in San Antonio.

Virgil was drafted in November, 1942 and sent to Bart Field in Riverside, California for basic training after which he chose to be an aviation cadet in the Army Air Corp. He completed cadet training in Miami, Florida and was transferred to Marysville, Tennessee for flight training. Because of a shoulder injury, he was not allowed to fly fighter planes; but his exceptional skills were utilized to train other cadets. He attended Marysville College for the 2 years he was stationed there.

While working in Temple, “the best thing that ever happened to me (Virgil) was when I met Cecilia. We went to a fair and a swimming pool.” Virgil married Cecilia on December 12, 1942 in a Catholic ceremony performed in the basement of the Baptist Church in Marysville, Tennessee.

After the war, Virgil and Cecilia moved back to Dallas, Texas where Virgil and his father, Joe, started Joe Zipper & Sons construction company. Virgil bought Joe’s share when he retired and continued with Zipper Construction until he own retirement in 1992.

Virgil was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 799 starting in 1956. He served as Grand Knight, State Ceremonial Chairman, and District Deputy. He was recognized as Knight of the Month, Knight of the Year, and received an award for Family of the Year.

Virgil was a long time parishioner of St. Pius X Catholic Church. He served in various capacities through the years and his favorite assignment was that of usher at the 11:30 Mass.

Virgil was an avid hunter, sports fan and a champion poker player. He loved playing games, especially dominoes and Yahtzee.

Virgil treasured his family and his proudest family moments included the family cruise to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary; the parties to celebrate their 25th, 50th and 60th anniversaries; family holiday gatherings and when they filled in the swimming pool.

Virgil is survived by his wife, Cecilia; 11 daughters and 7 sons-in-law – Dorothy and Horst Schulz, Sandra Linex, Patricia Zipper, Judy Kramer/Young and Oscar Young, Connie and Chris Klein, Cindy and Dwayne Jiles, Shirley Scott, Peggy and Brian McNees, Deborah Wofford, Donna and Paul Lentz, Tracey and Tony Steger - 27 Grandchildren; 17 Great Grandchildren and his sister Juanita Weston of Fort Worth, Texas; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews..

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Josephine Zipper; brothers Leo, Pat and Jerry Zipper; his twin sister Virginia Kneisel; sons-in-law Ronald W Kramer and Benny R Linex.

Visitation at Sparkman/Crane Funeral Home on Friday, November 1, 2013, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Rosary, Saturday, November 2, 2013 1:30 p.m. followed by the Mass at 2:00 p.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3030 Gus Thomasson Road, Dallas, Texas 75228.

Arrangements entrusted to Sparkman/Crane Funeral Home

10501 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218

214-327-8291