J.B. Berkley Zumwalt (Bolivar)'s Obituary
James Berkley Zumwalt, 98, Polk, Missouri, died peacefully at home on December 9, 2013. The oldest of five children of Henry and Mae (Stewart) Zumwalt, Berkley’s given name honored his grandfather Judge James M. Zumwalt.
Berkley was born in Polk County on February 1, 1915, and was a lifelong resident. He was a member of the Mt. View Baptist Church. Berkley was a 1933 graduate of Bolivar High School where he participated in sports and was a leader in many school activities.
Berkley was united in marriage to Vera L. Crain on October 15, 1938. They were married for more than 65 years before she preceded him in death on April 10, 2004. Also preceding him in death were his parents and three of his four siblings: sister Grace Kaudle and brothers Herbert and Estel, all of Bolivar.
Berkley is survived by two daughters and two sons, Patricia Zumwalt, Bolivar, Dr. J. Kent Zumwalt, Fort Collins, Colorado, Dr. Robert W. (Marilyn) Zumwalt, Columbia, Missouri, and Karen (Dennis) Taylor, Topeka, Kansas.
Other survivors include two granddaughters, Kristin Zumwalt, Redwood City, California and Erin (Brad) Walker, Littleton, Colorado, and one grandson, Robert J. (Jaime) Zumwalt and two great-grandchildren, Sophia Leighanne Zumwalt and William Berkley Zumwalt, all of Libertyville, Illinois; One sister, Opal Aspey, Bolivar, and many nieces and nephews.
Berkley was an avid reader all of his life until shortly before his death. Berkley placed great value on education and was a past member and president of the Bolivar Public Schools Board of Education. In Berkley’s honor his children established the Zumwalt Scholarship Fund in 1997. Every year since then the Zumwalt Scholarship Fund has assisted Bolivar High School graduates with college education expenses and continue to do so to this day.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Zumwalt Scholarship Fund, c/o Douglas Law Firm, 111 West Broadway, Bolivar, Missouri 65613, or Mt. View Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Butler Funeral Home, 407 E Broadway, Bolivar, Missouri 65613.
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