One of the nicest men in the world, my husband, Jay Zumwalt (Palmer Joseph Zumwalt III) left this world on February 6, 2019. Jay was born on August 6, 1937 in Greenfield, OK to Edith Hubbard and P.J. Zumwalt Jr. He grew up in Frederick OK and graduated from OU with a B.S. in electrical engineering. At the end of a five year plan to sample five different types of companies to see what suited him best, Jay interviewed at Motorola. He was asked why he changed jobs so often and explained, “If you hire me, I promise to give you five years.” Thirty three years later he retired from Motorola Government Electronics Division in Scottsdale AZ. Jay and his first wife Pat moved to Phoenix in 1963 with their three children Palmer Joseph IV, Mitzi and Lewis. In 1984 he married Deanna Delmar, loving her children Kelly, Terry, Jeff and Jennifer Gibbs as his own. Jay had a great zest for learning, especially science, robotics, and UFO’s. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Peggy, brother Roy, Kelly Gibbs and Jeff Gibbs. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Deanna Delmar, his children Palmer Zumwalt IV (Karen), Mitzi Paulsen (Joe), Lewis Zumwalt, Terry Gibbs, Jennifer Gibbs Bradshaw (Todd), grandchildren, Cassi Like, Jelen and Josh Kates, Palmer Zumwalt V, Emily, Ashley, John, Kate and Bridget Bradshaw, Kyle Gibbs, Kira Gibbs Howard (Austin) and great grandson A.J. Howard.
A celebration of Jay’s life will be held on Sunday February 17th at 2 p.m. at Generations at Ahwatukee, 15815 S. 50th St. Phoenix AZ 85048. The family asks that in lieu of flowers you honor Jay’s memory by spreading random acts of kindness and if you like you may donate to Hospice of the Valley. www.hov.org/donate
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