Obituary of James Erich “Jim” Zack

James Erich (Jim) Zack, age 87 of Melbourne, Florida passed away peacefully at his home on Easter Sunday April 16, 2017.  Jim was born May 1, 1929 in Chariton, Iowa to Erich and Ruth Noble Zack.  He was raised in Iowa with his brother Robert and sister Mary Alice.  He graduated from high school in Carroll, Iowa in 1947. Jim attended the University of Iowa, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Commerce.  After college he enrolled in the Army in July 1951 and began Counter Intelligence School in December.  He served as a special agent in the Counter Intelligence Corps during the Korean War until July 1953. In 1956 Jim married Kathleen O’Briant.  They lived in Atlanta, Georgia and he worked for Panasonic for 23 years in the consumer electronic industry. Jim loved driving his early model Porsche 911 and his two Kerry Blue Terriers. After losing his first wife Kathleen to cancer in 1990, Jim met and married Faith Buttray in October 1992.  In marriage he gained two daughters, Michele and Melanie, a son-in-law Michael, and a five year old grandson Casey.  Jim was meant to be a grandfather and he loved spending time with Casey and watching him grow. He was quick to adopt his new family and cared for them as his own. Jim loved and served the Lord and his church, River Run Christian.  He also gave his time by volunteering at Holmes Regional Medical Center from 1993 to 2013 as a Hospital Auxiliary Member.  His greatest pleasure was discharging and taking a young mother and her new born baby out for the first time.  He also had a passion for travel and story-telling. While traveling with Faith, he could sit down with a stranger, talk for hours, and in the end gain a new friend.  Jim’s family tree had many branches and reunions of first cousins were held every two years. Jim was the story teller of the group and if you knew him you could recount a “Jim Zack” story. Jim was proceeded in death by his parents, Erich and Ruth, brother, Robert Noble (Bob). He is survived by his wife Faith Zack; his sister-in-law Peggy Zack; his sister, Mary Alice Webb and husband Allen Webb; his daughters Michele Allen and Melanie Buttray; his son-in-law Michael Allen; his grandson, Casey Allen; his niece Deborah Zack Schultz (Jim); his niece Cathy Zack Roseland (Craig); his nephew John Webb (Heather); his nephew Jamie Webb (Chris); his niece Ellis Hughes (Peter Kent); his nephew Ronnie O’Briant (Jane) and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins. A celebration service with military honors will be held Friday, April 21st at 11:00 am at River Run Christian Church – 1660 Croton Road, Melbourne, Florida. Jim will be interred at Arlington Memorial Park in Atlanta, Georgia at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jim and Faith Zack Preaching Scholarship, Johnson University, 1011 Bill Beck Boulevard, Kissimmee, Florida 34744.