Joseph J Zelazny

Joseph John Zelazny Jr was born on September 10, 1921 in Wilmington DE and passed away on March 20, 2015 in Tacoma, WA with his wife of 71 years and his three children by his side. He is survived by his wife Lorrayne Mellum Zelazny; three children, Joseph John Zelazny III (Donna), Col. Robert Zelazny (Ret) (Brenda), and Kathy Zelazny Thomas (Ron); four grandchildren, LTC Joseph J. Zelazny IV, Jodie Zelazny, Tamra Brannon and Jessica Beardsley and five great grandchildren, Charlie and Noelle Zelazny, Amaya and Michael Brannon and Benjamin and soon- to- be baby Joseph Beardsley. The love and wisdom he shared with his family had a profound impact on each of their lives. He enlisted in the Army in 1942 and served 21 years, retiring in 1963 as a Lt. Colonel. He was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and served as a POW in Germany and Poland. This experience helped to define him throughout his life, especially during the last thirty years as he worked tirelessly for Veterans rights and for recognition for their service and sacrifice to the country. After retiring from the service, Joe worked at Tacoma Boat for a number of years and then went into the construction business, building custom homes throughout Pierce County. When he finally retired, he devoted himself entirely to issues surrounding Veterans. The establishment of a Veterans Memorial at the Coachella Valley Cemetery (California) and one in Tacoma Washington at the New Tacoma War Memorial Park were two of his proudest achievements. In 2009, he received the Meritorious Service Award from the National Association of Prisoners of War. In his spare time, Joe and Lorrayne enjoyed traveling, playing cards and other games with family and friends both here and in Indio California where he and Lorrayne were snowbirds for almost forty years. He loved fishing and completing woodworking projectsin his spare time. Nothing gave him greater pleasure however, than helping a Veteran get his rightful recognition and benefits. Joe was a long time member of Elks Lodge 174 serving as a Trustee for four years, then Chairman of the Board of Directors. Additionally, he was a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion. Joe and Lorrayne were long time members at Emmanuel Lutheran (Tacoma), Immanuel Lutheran (Yelm), and St Marks Lutheran (Tacoma) Churches. A memorial service will be held at Point Defiance Village at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2015. The internment will take place at 3:00 p.m. at the Tahoma National Veterans Cemetery in Kent on the same day. The family asks in lieu of flowers, remembrances be sent to St Marks Lutheran Church or the Tacoma Rescue Mission.