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WINDHAM, PA. - James "Jim" Webster Zajac, 64, passed, July 19, 2014, at his
home, after many years of battling kidney disease, related to an injury suffered during
the war in Vietnam.
Jim was born May 31, 1950, in Warren, Ohio, to Paul and Dolores (Huffman) Zajac.
He graduated from Lakeview High School in 1968.
While he was in high school, he enjoyed running track.
He especially excelled in the mile-run, having the best time in the area.
In addition, he also participated in football and was the school's first kicker.
After graduation, Jim enlisted in the Army and headed to Ft. Knox, Ky. for basic training.
Jim served one year in Vietnam as a combat engineer.
He loved the military and was hoping to make it a career when he was injured, disabling
him for life.
Jim didn't let his injury keep him down for long. He became very active in wheelchair
basketball and track. In 1985, he was presented the Jack Gerhardt Athlete of the Year
Award, which was the most prestigious award in the country for a wheelchair athlete.
On May 4, 1985, he married the former Brenda Kay Moore in Rome, Pa.
As a special honeymoon, they spent six months traveling throughout Alaska, living in a van
specially modified by Jim.
Upon returning from their honeymoon they resided in Tampa, Fla.
To fulfill a dream, they relocated to Kenai, Alaska in 1990, to become a resident of
Alaska in order to hunt brown bear.
He accomplished his dream of a trophy Kodiak brown bear, which stands in his living room
today.
After moving back to Pennsylvania in 1994, Jim received the greatest blessing of his life,
the birth of his son, James.
He enjoyed being a father more than anything.
He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking and watching his son grow up and
participate in his many sporting activities, especially baseball.
Jim is survived by his wife, Brenda, of 29 years, and his son, James Zajac of Windham,
Pa.; his mother, Dolores Murphy of Cortland, Ohio; his father, Paul Zajac of Wickliffe,
Ohio; his brother, David Zajac and his wife, Konny, of Temecula, Calif.; his sister,
Cherrie Moran and her husband, Brian, of Austintown, Ohio; his brother, Daniel Murphy of
Cortland, OH; stepsister Joan Moldovan and her husband, Don, of Westerville, OH; one
niece; five nephews; four great-nieces; and three great-nephews.
Jim is also survived by Brenda's extended family.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Richard and Golda Mae Huffman and Joseph
and Nellie Zajac; stepfather David Murphy; his uncle, Johnny Zajac; and uncle Richard J.
Huffman. He was also predeceased by a special great-uncle, Edgar Huffman.
Family and friends are invited to attend a period of visitation on Thursday, July 24,
from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Sutfin Funeral Chapel, 273 S. Main St., Nichols, N.Y.
Funeral services and a celebration of Jim's life will follow at 6 p.m.
Interment will be held at the convenience of the family at the Arlington National
Cemetery
. Please visit
www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com to share memories, condolences and pictures.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Guthrie Hospice, 421 Tomahawk Road, Towanda,
PA 18848, in loving memory of James "Jim" Webster Zajac.
Trumbull
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