Vincent G. Zerda

Mr. Vincent Garcia Zerda, age 87, passed away on Friday, January 22nd, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. Vincent was born on March 6, 1933 in Falls City, Texas to Martin and Josefa Zerda. When he was a child, he and his family moved to Hobson, Texas, a few miles away. He attended St. Boniface Catholic Church and parochial school. Growing up during the Great Depression, Vincent, along with his parents, and his siblings worked to make it through the hard times. They performed various types of farm work including picking cotton and other crops, bailing hay, building and repairing fences, cutting fence posts, clearing land, and many other jobs. He and his brothers and sisters all contributed to the family’s household needs, especially during the summers when they worked from sunup to sundown. These years of hard work formed the basis for Vincent’s strong work ethic. He and his family loved the outdoors, and took advantage of the surrounding natural resources, taking part in activities such as fishing, hunting, swimming, canoeing, and hiking.

Vincent attended Falls City High School. In the classroom, he was a studious learner, and enjoyed history and math. He excelled in team sports, and was a varsity letterman in baseball, football, basketball, and track. In football, he played both offensive and defensive back for the school’s six-man football team. He also was a very talented baseball player who could play almost every position but found his element on the mound as the team’s ace pitcher. He led Falls City to the District 51-B Championship in 1951. During this time, he also played for the Hobson Cubs in the Flax Baseball League.

After high school, Vincent continued his baseball career by playing professionally for several minor league teams: Johnson City Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals), San Angelo Colts (Independent), Lake Charles Giants (New York Giants), and others.

In 1953, Vincent left Johnson City and was drafted into military service and became a member of the United States Army. He served in Korea and was a cannoneer in the 96th Field Artillery Battalion. He served from 1953 to 1955 and was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal for his service.

In the late 1950s, Vincent met the love of his life, Clarissa Flores. They married in 1960. Between 1960 and 1966, five children were born to them: Michael, William, Charles, Phillip, and Joanne. Vincent was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. While Clarissa worked as a secretary at Kelly Air Force Base (KAFB), Vincent worked as an insurance agent for American National Insurance Company. For seventeen years he made his rounds visiting customers in their homes, selling life and health insurance, collecting premiums, and having friendly conversations with them. He took a genuine interest in the lives and well-being of all of his customers.

Although the demands of his job as an insurance salesman required him to work a significant amount of extra hours each week, he made sure to spend quality time with his wife and children. He took the family on picnics, fishing trips, family barbecues, and vacations building many memories along the way. Vincent and Clarissa loved to dance, and when they got the chance, they kicked up their heels at weddings, quiceaneras, and New Year’s Eve dances oftentimes in the company of their siblings and their spouses.

Vincent was avidly involved in youth sports, especially baseball. He spent a lot of time as a coach and assistant coach for the Palm Heights Little, Pony and Colt Leagues. He freely shared his baseball expertise with everyone he coached. He had a knack for spotting potential in young players that was often overlooked by others. He also had a gift for refining a player’s talent by having them work to perfect the “little things” that help transform an average player into a good player, and a good player into a great player. He always told his players to play loose, not tight, and to have fun while playing. Outside of home, Vincent felt most comfortable when he was around a baseball diamond.

Education was important to Vincent. He felt it was one of the keys to success in life. While playing minor league baseball in Johnson City, Tennessee, he took courses at East Tennessee State University. While working as an insurance salesman, he expressed a desire to work in Civil Service, and diligently studied to prepare for the Civil Service Entrance Exam. After passing the exam, he joined his wife, Clarissa, at KAFB. He enjoyed his job as a Packaging Specialist in the Logistics Division, and received many awards including the Department of the Air Force’s Sustained Superior Performance Award. After putting their children through college, Vincent and his wife Clarissa, together, pursued their dream of obtaining their college degrees by attending St. Philip’s College and the University of Texas at San Antonio. They were the best of classmates, and often studied together.

Vincent showed his steadfast love for his wife Clarissa, especially after she was diagnosed with leukemia. He was by her side for the several years that she battled the disease and embraced and comforted her in her darkest moments. The loss of Vincent’s wife and his son, Charles, to this dreadful disease deeply affected him. With the hope provided by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Vincent always knew that he would one day join his loved ones in paradise.

Vincent is preceded in death by his wife of forty years, Clarissa Flores Zerda; parents, Martin Zerda Sr. and Josefa Zerda; son, Charles Patrick Zerda; siblings, Ralph Zerda, Rita Foltz, John Zerda, Martin Zerda Jr., Mary Cole, Betty and Jesse Zerda.

Vincent is survived by children: Michael Zerda (Elizabeth), William Zerda (Bernice), Phillip Zerda, Joanne Zerda (Julie); grandchildren, Jeffrey Zerda, Michael Zerda, Dr. Erika N. Zerda, Viktoria Zerda, SSgt. Aidan Zerda, Gabriella Zerda, Marcella Rodriguez, and Martha Munoz; siblings, Sally Franco and Helen Zerda, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Visitation will be held at Porter Loring Mortuary on February 9, 2021, 6:00 pm in the evening. Rosary Service will follow Visitation at 7:30 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 700 Dewhurst, San Antonio, Texas at 11:00 am on February 10, 2021. The Reverend Miguel Moreno will officiate. Interment (with Military Honors) will follow in San Fernando Cemetery II, 746 Castroville Rd. Pallbearers will be Jeffrey Zerda, Michael Zerda, Aidan Zerda, Elias Harrington, Debra Zerda, and Robert Zerda. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or charity of your choice. The family would like to express their gratitude to the care staff at Seasons Alzheimer’s Center for the care of Vincent over the last several years.