James "Jim" Webster Zajac

James "Jim" Webster Zajac, 64, of Windham, Pennsylvania, went home to be with The Lord, Saturday, 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, Kentucky 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, Florida. 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, OH, his father, Paul Zajac of Wickliffe, OH, his brother, David Zajac and his wife Konny of Timecula, CA, his sister Cherrie Moran and her husband Brian of Austintown, OH, his brother Daniel Murphy of Cortland, OH and step-sister, Joan Moldovan and her husband Don of Westerville, OH and 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, grandparents Joseph and Nellie Zajac, step-father 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 24th from 4-6 pm at the Sutfin Funeral Chapel, 273 S. Main St., Nichols. Funeral services and a celebration of Jim's life will follow at 6 pm. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family at the Arlington National Cemetery. Memories, condolences and pictures may be shared by visiting our website at www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Warren Center Baptist Church where Jim shared his belief in his Savior with so many of his friends. (Warren Center Baptist Church, 883 Coburn Hill Rd., Warren Center, PA 18851) or Guthrie Hospice, 421 Tomahawk Rd., Towanda, PA 18848 in loving memory of James "Jim" Webster Zajac. Cemetery Details Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, VA 22204 http://arlingtonnationalcemetery.org Loading map Previous Events Visitation JUL 24. 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (ET) Sutfin Funeral Chapel 273 S. Main Street PO Box 72 Nichols, NY 13812 info@sutfinfuneralchapel.com https://www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com Loading map Service JUL 24. 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (ET) Sutfin Funeral Chapel 273 S. Main Street PO Box 72 Nichols, NY 13812 info@sutfinfuneralchapel.com https://www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com Loading map