Tributes

Jerry Christian “Jori” Zabava, husband, father, grandfather, teacher, coach, athletic director, entrepreneur and business owner passed away peacefully at home on November 21, 2016, at the age of 79. He was born in North Pleasanton, Texas in 1937 to Leo L. and Elizabeth (Stanush) Zabava. He graduated from Pleasanton High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, track and baseball. He received his Bachelor of Science from Southwest Texas State College, now Texas State University. He married his high school sweetheart Marynell Kinchen, and together they raised five children. Jori started working at the Pleasanton Express at the age of 14 after his father passed away. He continued working there during school until 1958, when he married and started college. He also worked at the San Marcos Record while attending college, and worked at the Austin American Statesman, San Antonio Express-News and the San Antonio Light during the summers. After 20 years in the teaching and coaching profession in the Seguin, Canyon, Corpus Christi, Southwest and Edgewood School Districts, he started his own company, Xiinux X Company, which specialized in large boulder landscaping and retaining walls, and commercial and residential water features. One of his greatest pleasures in life was working with the many athletes he coached over the years. He was always pleased when he heard someone say, “Hey, Coach Zabava, remember me?” Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and infant sibling John Wayne Zabava. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marynell Zabava, of San Antonio, and his children Pamela Bermender (Craig) of Leander, Jon Zabava (Dora) of Converse, Van Zabava (Ana), Kimerla Choate and Rex Zabava, all of San Antonio, and grandchildren Kristin Dugan, Kaylee, Brenden and Ian Zabava, Ryan and Abigail Zabava, Austin, Dakota and Wyatt Choate, Nathan and Ameila Zabava and Christopher and Joshua Staton. He is also survived by his siblings Leon Zabava, Claude Zabava, both of Pleasanton, Gladys Janysek (Fabian) of Karnes City and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Jori was a devout Catholic and a parishioner at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Helotes. He loved his family and his country.

Tributes

Jerry Christian Zabava

October 4, 1937 - November 21, 2016