Lewis Zollars

Lewis “Lew” R. Zollars passed away peacefully in the morning hours of January 10th at Memorial Hospital Jacksonville. His passing followed a brief illness which required hospitalization just a few days after his 86th birthday. Born in December 1927, Lew’s experiences growing up in the years of the Depression influenced his approach to living throughout his life, always preparing for the unexpected but enjoying what life had to offer without being frivolous and always looking out for his loved ones who enriched his life.

Lew was born in East Orange, New Jersey and spent the early part of his life in Maryland. Prior to completing high school, he entered the U.S. Navy during WWII serving aboard the USS Charles H. Roan DD-853. During his tour the constant firing of heavy onboard artillery, took a toll on his hearing which during his golden years his hearing loss was a constant source of frustration for him. After the war, he completed his high school education and entered the grocery business as opposed to following his brothers and father who worked in construction. He was seeking a profession with afforded more stability although he had all the talents to enter the construction profession.

He soon landed a job with General Foods when during one of his business calls to various grocery stores in the area surrounding Washington DC, he met and fell in love with the love of his life Irene Grace (Judd) Zollars. They married and he took great pleasure in adopting her young son and raising him as his own. Michael never suspected Lew was anything other than his biologic father until he was told as an adult. Lew was distraught and sought advice from his sister Mary Louise, and she assured him that the revelation would not change how Michael would feel towards him. She was right because it made no difference to Michael at all. Lew had a lifelong passion for flying, and the only downside to Lew’s marriage to Irene, if any, was that he had to sell his stake in his airplane for a house down payment, and he had to transfer from the Air National Guard to the Air Force Reserves in order to complete a three year commitment.

Lew and his family which now included daughter Patricia Ann, relocated to Jacksonville to accept a job promotion. His career thrived enjoying not only professional success but making lifelong friends. He rekindled his flying hobby and became part owner of another airplane. He enjoyed flying around the state with Irene and friends on many cross country flights. He raised his children in the Catholic faith and provided them a strong foundation with a Catholic education not only out of his own beliefs but out of respect for his mother Frances and his younger sister Mary Louise who joined the Daughters of Charity in 1951. But the good times ended when Irene was diagnosed with cancer and Lew took early retirement to care for her. After Irene passed away in 1991, Lew spent time with his kids and grandchildren and was active in local community activities serving a term as treasurer for the University Park Association and a stent as historian at American Legion Post 283. He was instrumental in organizing a successful reunion of “Plankowners” of the USS Roan in 1992. He also spent many hours writing countless letters to the editor of the Times Union when local politicians stepped out of line and espousing his conservative views. His sister Mary Louise was a lifelong confident and sounding board who helped moderate his conservative slant with her more liberal and socially conscious views.

But eventually, Lew became restless and wanted companionship. In 2001, he met Nancy Ruth Rogers whom he soon married. In the following years they enjoyed each other’s company and traveled about and were active in the local American Legion. He suffered another tremendous loss in 2006 when his daughter Patricia passed away from cancer. In his last year he resisted efforts by his son and daughter-in-law Maria to relocate him and Nancy to San Antonio so they could be closer to Michael and his family opting instead to remain in his home until his passing.

Lewis was predeceased by his father and mother Thomas Franklin and Frances (Meighan) Zollars; first wife Irene Grace (Judd) Zollars; daughter Patricia Ann Zollars; and brothers Edward, William, George, and Patrick Zollars. He is survived by his sister Mary Louise, D.C.; his second wife Nancy Ruth (Rogers) Zollars; son Michael and his wife Maria; grand children Michael Gregory, Kathryn Lynn, and Davis Michael; and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their appreciation and gratitude to the staff at Memorial Hospital Jacksonville CCU whose compassionate care provided comfort to Lew and his family during his final days. Additionally, the family expresses the same to the neighbors and staff at area financial institutions who looked after Lew and Nancy during the last few months. Lew’s phone number of the past 50 years was recently retired and all will miss his greeting when he would answer “The Great Lew Zollars here.” Lew Zollars certainly lived up to that title.

Graveside services are planned for 31 January at 11 a.m. at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home & Chapel Hills Memory Gardens, 850 St. Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hardage-giddenschapelhills.com