Lynn Sinclair Zarr

Lynn Sinclair Zarr aka “Papa Zarr” passed away peacefully surrounded by his beloved wife and 3 sons on Sunday, the 1st of September 2024, at the age of 83. Tough as nails but with a heart of gold, Lynn cheated death numerous times throughout his life. From “widow maker” heart attacks to life threatening infections, Lynn’s love for life and all of those he knew kept him going. However, 2024 brought about one fight after another. When the time came he knew he was ready and welcomed the blessed journey to be with his Lord and Savior.

Born in Houston, he was proud to be a 3rd generation Houstonian with deep roots extending through The Heights, River Oaks and West Houston. As a young boy at 13 years old while at Camp Stewart, he lost his father at 41 to a heart attack. Later his beautiful mother, Elizabeth Sinclair Zarr married Elliott G. Flowers, who played a significant role in Lynn’s life.

An outstanding athlete, Lynn was named to Houston’s All City football team as an offensive guard in 1958. There are those who still remember the Lamar High School football team of that era which went on to win the Championship. The Family still gets reminded of the opposing coach’s remarks in the Houston Post and Houston Chronicle newspapers: “the only way we would have beat Lamar is if Zarr would have gone up on Russian Sputnik rocket”. Lynn was also an outstanding swimmer, who held the butterfly city record for a brief period.

It was also in high school that Lynn started a courtship with the love of his life. Sherry Ray Strater and Lynn started dating and he knew from the beginning – she was “the one”. From high school sweethearts to a happy marriage of 62-years, the two enjoyed over six decades of being best friends.

Lynn began his college education at Tulane University in New Orleans, and often joked that he “majored in the French Quarter”. As a member of the Kappa Sig fraternity, he met numerous lifelong friends, whom he cherished. After 2.5 years at Tulane, Lynn transferred to Texas Wesleyan University where he obtained an undergraduate degree in English and History. Lynn and Sherry then moved to Washington DC where he obtained a Masters degree in Hospital Administration from The George Washington University.

With a family heritage of doctors, including his mother’s father, who founded Heights Hospital, he chose the business side of the medical profession and became Hospital Administrator of Ben Taub Hospital in Houston. It wasn’t long before he realized his passion was dealing with people, and so embarked on a career in real estate. In 1973, at the age of 32, he accepted a job with John Daugherty Realtors, where he quickly became Vice President of Sales. In 1976, Lynn ventured out on his own and founded Zarr & Co Realtors. Building his company’s reputation on the highest professional and ethical standards, his company grew to one the largest independently owned residential real estate firms in Houston. Through a series of acquisitions and a significant merger, the company became Heritage Texas Properties. During his illustrious real estate career, he was proud of what his company became, as well as being named President of The Houston Association of Realtors® (the largest Realtor® association in the nation). He also served on a national committee of the National Association of Realtors, which was instrumental in the invention and implementation of the electronic key box, a technology still used today. Above all, he loved all the people he worked with, and they knew it.

Lynn and Sherry raised 3 boys in Houston who blessed them with 8 grandchildren, all of which affectionately called him by his lifelong beloved nickname – “Papa”. This childhood nickname came about one night when fellow high school teammates were planning to break curfew and head across the border. Lynn put his foot down and insisted they not make the trip; hence, “Papa Zarr” from that day on. Papa loved teaching his children and grandchildren everything he could about life, sports, The Golden Rule and how to always treat people. He cherished the days of pulling skiers at Lake McQueeney, bird hunts in South Texas, coaching his kids’ sports teams, attending grandchildren events, Houston Country Club, golfing, breakfast clubs, playing Santa for the less fortunate, and volunteering for numerous charities. He was honored when his community elected him to such positions as President of Post Oak Little League, President of Briargrove Elementary PTO, board member of Hope Hospice of New Braunfels and various advisory boards.

After spending many summers at Lake McQueeney and falling in love with the area, Lynn & Sherry moved permanently to New Braunfels in 2008 where they quickly became members of Christ Our King Anglican Church. While a Houstonian at heart, Lynn loved his twilight years in the Texas Hill Country playing golf with Legend’s Golf Group, attending his regular breakfast group meetings, volunteering priceless knowledge as an “Old Coot”, working every other week at the New Braunfels Food Bank, driving around in their golf cart with their grandchildren, and re-telling countless usually funny stories and jokes. He is greatly missed already, but his legacy lives on and we know he is in heaven smiling and laughing with everyone he sees.

Lynn was preceded in death by his father Dr. Luther Lynn Zarr, his mother Elizabeth Sinclair Flowers and stepfather Elliot G. Flowers and his sister Lucy Zarr Foyt. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Sherry Strater Zarr, their 3 sons Lynn Sinclair Zarr, Jr., David Strater Zarr and his wife Nicole Domercq Zarr, Jefferey Powell Zarr and his wife Brooke Burney Zarr, his stepbrother Elliott Flowers Jr. and stepsister Leigh Flowers Bonner. He is also survived by his 8 wonderful grandchildren: Lynn “Luke” Zarr, III, Mackenzie Nicole Zarr, Elinor “Ellie” Zarr, John Strater Zarr, Riley Kate Zarr, Jake Powell Zarr, Annie Elizabeth Zarr and Cooper William Zarr.

A memorial service is to be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday the 11th of September, at Grace Bible Church, 6325 Hurst Street in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to a reception at a venue to be announced during the service.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Papa’s memory be directed to Tunnel to Towers Foundation by visiting online at dogood.t2t.org