Dates
Jose L. Zapata, Jr., 77, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 29, 2015 after a short illness. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 3, 2015 at Shaffer Funeral Home’s Sherwood Way Chapel. Services are under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home/Sherwood Way.
Jose was born on March 4, 1938 in Del Rio, Texas to Jose L. Zapata, Sr. and Natividad his wife.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Abigail Mitchell and Raquel Barrientos along with one brother, Eliu Zapata.
Survivors include a daughter, Nativia Cole and husband Miles Cole, Jr. from San Angelo; three step daughters, Deandra Vancil and husband Scott from San Angelo, Sandra Perez and family from Del Rio, Texas and Chevy Stroughton and family; one step son, Kevin Tyler; ex-wife, Madeania Clark from San Angelo; three sisters, Anna Miller, Eunice Zapata and Berta Chapko all of San Antonio, Texas; two brothers, Leo Zapata and wife Rachel from Del Rio and Joel Zapata and wife Diane from San Antonio, Texas. He had many nieces and nephews. His pride and joy was his grandchildren, Erykah Hines, Jazmyn Cole and Miles, Jr. (Bubba) Cole; his step granddaughters, Anna and Isabella Vancil.
Jose served in the 101st Infantry Battalion, he was a parachutist and blaster. He loved to tell about his first jump from the airplane and made many jumps after the first one.
Jose was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and enjoyed fellowship and worship with many friends.
Special thanks to his care giver Tracy Burney and her family that treated him like one of their own. Thanks to Dean Gattis for always being there on a minutes notice. Thanks to the Veteran’s Clinic staff, especially his favorite nurses, Caroline and Kay.
Jose had many friends he loved to go see and pass the time with. He will be missed by many.