MSgt Albert Zabadal, USAF, (Ret.)

MSgt Albert Zabadal, (Ret.), passed away peacefully with family at his side on August 31, 2018, at the age of 100. Albert was born April 9, 1918, in Northampton, PA to John E. Zabadal and Anna (Falat) Zabadal. After graduating from Business College, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1939. Albert's career in the military lasted for 30 years. His dedicated service and superior performance saw him promoted from Private First Class to Technical Sergeant in three years.

From 1940 to 1948, he served in several combat units including:

The 36th Pursuit Squadron, 8th Pursuit Group

The 60th Pursuit Squadron, 33rd Pursuit Group

The 11th Air Refueling Squadron, Strategic Air Command

The 3906th Combat Support Group, Strategic Air Command

In 1948, he attained the rank of Master Sergeant and was assigned as First Sergeant of Headquarters Squadron, 3345th Technical Training Wing, Chanute Air Base, Illinois.

His service during World War II and the Korean War took him to distant parts of the world such as Casa Blanca, Tunisia, Pantalleria Island, Sicily, Italy, Egypt, India, China, Australia and New Guinea.

He served in Korea from 1955 to 1956 and then transferred to Lackland AFB in San Antonio. In 1962, he transferred to Sidi Slimane, Morocco. In 1963, Albert transferred to Bergstrom AFB and served as First Sergeant of the 340th Organizational Maintenance Squadron, Strategic Air Command. He then served as First Sergeant of Headquarters 75th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Tactical Air Command, until his retirement from the US Air Force on September 30, 1969.

During his illustrious military career, Albert received many awards, decorations, such as the WW II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five Bronze Stars, Presidential Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Gallant Unit Citation, and Air Force Commendation Medal. Albert also received many letters of commendation and was highly respected by all his commanders.

After his military career, Albert went to work for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept., and supervised the mail distribution department until retiring on September 30, 1993 after 24 years.

Albert was a quiet, kind, gentle man and led a simple life. He loved God and his family. He always said he wanted to live to be 100. He met his goal and then some.

He was preceded in death by his beloved “darling” wife, Dorothy, son Bruce A. Zabadal, and great granddaughter, Jordan Griffin, his parents, and his brother, John. He is survived by his daughter, Jeannie Pate and husband Kenneth, daughter Barbara Sanders and husband Sonny, daughter-in-law Jane Zabadal, grandchildren, Nicole Pate, Kerri Berry, Scott Pate and wife Erin, Ron Zabadal and wife Wendi, Cherisse Carney and husband Doug, Susan Johnson and husband Paul, Kathleen Spurlock and husband Bill, Robert Sanders and wife Gina; great grandchildren Sydney, Jasmine and Sophia Pate, Kaleb Griffin, Kasey and Kyle Zabadal, Jeffrey Zabadal and wife Brandi, and Tyler Johnson; great-great grandchildren Hunter and Hailey Zabadal.

Jeannie and Ken would like to thank Gwen Wade, Virginia Caldwell, and Beth Austin of Encompass Hospice, and Melissa and Steve Saucedo for the tender and thoughtful care provided to Dad during the final months of his life.

The family will receive friends from 2:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M., Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Services will follow at 3:30 P.M. in the Chapel with Cody Westbrook officiating. Interment will be at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

Honoring Albert as pallbearers will be Ed Grumbles, Gene Shamburger, Phil Savage, Jim Scott, John Gray, and Nigel Taylor.