Ken Zombro

On June 9th, while his children held his hands, Ken Zombro was called home to join his wife Carmen, son Cliff, brothers Stanley, Donald, and Carrol, and parents Minnie and Stanley Wilfred “SW” Zombro.

His was a life well-lived, or as he would say, “NOT TOO SHABBY!”

Ken was loved by everyone who met him. His kids always said, “When Dad walks in, the whole place turns into Mayberry!” He grew up in Jefferson County, WV where he raised prize-winning hogs, was the Treasurer of the Charles Town High School FFA, and graduated “in the upper half of the lower fourth” of his class in 1958. After graduating, he joined the US Marine Corps where he served at home and abroad, including two years in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was there that he met Carmen, and on May 23, 1964 they were married in Damascus, Syria.

When Ken and Carmen settled home in Norfolk, Virginia, they soon welcomed twin boys, Kelly and Cliff in 1965. In 1971, they were again blessed with twin daughters, Camille and Karla. That’s right: TWO sets of twins! The family moved out west in 1973, raising the kids in San Diego and Poway before settling in Chula Vista in their later years. The decades brought joys, challenges, and losses. Their son Cliff, an angel before his time, passed away in 1978. He was the most treasured gift in our family.

Ken is survived by his brother, Wimp Zombro, and his “baby sister” Patsy McDaniel. The west coast Zombro clan includes: son Kelly and daughter-in-law Cathy Zombro, and their children, Katie and Christopher. Katie and husband Eric Berngen are parents to Eleanor Joan Berngen. Daughter Camille and son-in-law Travis Daniels are parents to Colin and Pearl. Karla and son-in-law Raul Barrera are proud of their naughty dog and a yard full of fruit trees.

Ken will also be dearly missed by his neighbors, who always check to see if the garage door is open so they can visit, by his his lifelong friends from the USMC and later, at his Real Estate brokerage company Zombro and Associates (the two associates were Carmen and their dog Toro), and by the fearless, dedicated, and loving crew of caregivers who filled his and Mom's final years with comfort, joy and dignity (and lots of chocolate cookies!).

Ken’s last words to us were, “Thank you for being you.” His love for life and for his family and friends was unconditional. His memory will live on in the music, the stories, and in the endless sense of humor he instilled in all who knew him.

A visitation for Ken will be held Thursday, July 14, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902. A funeral service will occur Friday, July 15, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Saint Gabriel Catholic Church, 13734 Twin Peaks Road, Poway, CA 92064. A committal service will occur Friday, July 15, 2022 from 11:15 AM to 12:00 PM at Dearborn Memorial Park, 14361 Tierra Bonita Road, Poway, CA 92064.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.glenabbeysandiego.net for the Zombro family.