Utimio “Dave” Zapien, 89, passed peacefully at home on April 30, 2020. He was born December 13, 1930. (Or was it ’31? He was never quite sure.) His parents, Ynocencio Alderete Zapien and Paula Martinez Zapien, raised their large family in the East Bottoms of Kansas City. He was the seventh of twelve children (Paul, Pauline, Marcelino, Joseph, Rudolph, Saturnino, Raphael, Christopher, John, Thomas, and Raymond). Dave’s childhood tales included memories of growing corn and picking apricots, plums, cherries, and pecans from the family trees. He also got into a fair amount of mischief on the nearby tracks, like “borrowing” enormous blocks of ice or “surplus” watermelons from unattended railcars.
After graduating from De La Salle Military Academy, Dave began studies at UMKC’s School of Pharmacy. He soon left college to follow many of his brothers into the Armed Forces, joining the Navy from 1949-1953. He married Maria Alicia “Licha” Rios on September 22, 1956 and the two of them started a family of their own on Kansas City’s Westside.
Over the years, Dave worked as a salesman for Rust Sash & Door, CE Morgan, and Mid-States Millwork. He sold doors, windows, and locks to builders throughout the greater Kansas City area and was in the Million Dollar Sales Club in 1978.
Dave was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, serving as usher and lector. He was a member of the Legion of Mary and president of the Our Lady of the Americas PTA. At the Mexican fiestas, he helped build the main dance stage, sold Italian sausages, and with Licha’s help, managed ticket sales. He loved traveling and gathering with family and enjoyed many casino buffets. He liked to cook on special occasions and his turkey, gravy, and stuffing were legendary. Even as his health declined, he continued his steadfast devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Faustina Kowalska, and his favorite charities. Ever true to his Kansas City roots, Dave was a lifelong fan of both the Chiefs and Royals, win or lose. During the Chiefs Super Bowl run, his caretakers (Licha, Laura, and Susan) always made sure he was sporting Arrowhead red.
Dave is survived by his loving wife of sixty-three years; brothers Saturnino, Raphael, John, and Thomas; his children Cindy Zapien, Laura Contreras, Susan (Kevin) Swope, Stephen (Eileen) Zapien, Tom (Gina) Shay-Zapien, and Tim (Graciela) Zapien; twenty-two grandchildren (Erica, Alexis, Nicholas (Rosa), Jennifer (Dwayne), Joshua (Linda), Caleb, Isabella, Gabe, Noah, Samuel, Ian, Alexander, Leah, Abram, Bennett, Lyndsey (Matt), Jordan, Alexi, Aureliano, Sebastian, Salvador, Emiliano); ten great grandchildren (Aubrey, Pierce, Chase, Chloe, Rudy, Erick, Emiana, Uziel, Mason, and Wyatt); and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
In addition to his parents and seven siblings, Dave is preceded in death by his son, David (Cathy) Zapien and daughter-in-law, Stacey (Tim) Zapien.
While our celebration of Dave has been restricted due to the ongoing pandemic, the impact of his exemplary life and abiding love is limitless.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Dave’s favorite charity, St. Labre Indian School (stlabre.org). Arr: McGilley & Seil Chapel, 11924 E. 47th St., KCMO 64133. ww.mcgilleysheil.com.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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