Gregory Leo Zentz

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Gregory Leo Zentz on September 30th in Jacksonville, Florida. Greg was born in Gainesville, Florida July 12, 1957 to Robert and Sandra Zentz. Greg will be remembered for his kind and gentle manner, intelligence, quick wit, and love for his wife Sharon, his family, many friends, and the amazing life he led. Greg graduated from Jupiter High School where he excelled academically, was involved in school government, played football and competed on the school’s wrestling team. Although accepted to West Point Military Academy, he got the travel bug and instead began a three-week trip to Australia. However, the three weeks became a year-long exploration of Australia and New Zealand. Other travels included extensive explorations of Europe, South America, Mexico, and most every state in the U.S. Upon his return from Australia, Greg attended the University of Florida where he tested out of his first year and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. An avid writer, Greg published several books, and his interest in astronomy led to articles being published in a number of astronomy publications. He excelled in his professional life as a sales representative for Lanier, Fischer Scientific, and several emerging computer software companies. Greg was a person of varied interests and will be greatly missed by friends and family alike. An ever-present and insatiable curiosity about everything fueled his passion for reading and learning. As a young man he collected coins, and later in life the hobby expanded to collecting ancient coins for the cultural stories they represented. An enthusiastic astronomer, he built his first telescope in his teens, and spent countless evenings gazing at the night sky. He once traveled to Ecuador to capture the perfect view of Haley’s Comet. Skydiving was a sport that he fell in love with, and he frequently said that it made him feel alive. Greg is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Gail Lean, sisters Rachelle Zentz-Crain (Michael Culpepper), Rene Magrogan (William Magrogan), and Constance Canterbury (Michael Canterbury), nieces Alyssa Crain-Douglas and Danielle Magrogan, and nephew William Magrogan, III. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Warren Zentz (2007) and Sandra Derl Zentz (2013), his brother Martin Zentz (1992), and his niece Lindsay Crain-Christ (2025).

A funeral service will be held at Hardage-Giddens Greenlawn Funeral Home, 4300 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida October 8th at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place immediately following at the King David Garden of Greenlawn Cemetery. To view the livestream https://www.youtube.com/live/06ffvzO9zK8

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association - Central and North Florida Chapter in his memory.