John M Zink

John Michael Zink, III, 78, of Baytown, TX passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 6, 2020, with his loving wife of 58 years by his side.  He was born in Chicago, IL, on November 26, 1941, to the late John and Dorothy Zink.  John was the second of four children.  He attended Taft High School, and then proudly served four years in the U.S. Navy, followed by four years in the Naval Reserve.  His service time included three years on a Far East Cruise in Japan, Hong Kong and Hawaii on the USS Kitty Hawk.  While stationed in Beeville, TX, he met the love of his life, Judy.  Their lifelong journey began after their marriage on December 19, 1961, and they were later blessed with two children – Johnny and Gina.

He provided for his family as a union meat cutter for 18 years with Lewis & Coker.  Later, he opened up his own business – Papa John’s Baseball Cards.  He also served as a bus driver for 18 years with GCCISD.

Papa John’s favorite past times included fishing, bowling, golfing, shopping, collecting baseball cards, watching the CUBS baseball games but above all else attending his adored grandkids many sports events.  He spent countless hours crafting family picture collages that he proudly displayed and scrapbooks for his grandkids accomplishments.  John and Judy also enjoyed many vacation trips with family to Kerrville, Rockport and State Parks across Texas.  Treasured memories of holidays at the Zink’s were filled with family time, board games, croquet, Easter egg hunts, Turkey Bowls and stacks & stacks of presents at Christmas time that he and Judy shopped so meticulously for.  Needless to say, his grandkids were his life.

John was a loving brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend to many to knew him. John was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Carol Nyffeler.  He will be greatly missed by his most dedicated wife, Judy Zink; his sisters Barbara (Ron) Reed and Marjorie Zink; his son Johnny and wife Toni Zink; his daughter Gina and husband Carl Strickland; his five grandchildren including Robert and wife Amanda Strickland, Trey and wife Shelby Strickland, Courtney and husband Mike Jimenez, Taylor Zink and fiancé Bailey Preddy, Ryan and wife Melissa Sylvia; his six great-grandchildren – Fischer & Finleigh Strickland, Easton Strickland, Hayden Marie Jimenez, Drake and Noah Sylvia: numerous loving nieces, nephews and a host of other family members and friends. 

The family would like to say a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Traditions Health Hospice Care. 

Honoring the family by serving as pallbearers will be Freddy Bradshaw, Jeff Bradshaw, Ted Branecky, Felix Guajardo, Lance Harris and Toby Winslow.  Honorary pallbearers will be Drake and Noah Sylvia. 

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm on Monday, September 14, 2020, in the chapel of Sterling White Funeral Home, 11011 Crosby Lynchburg Rd., Highlands, TX, 77562. A funeral service for Mr. Zink will begin at 2:00 pm with a graveside service including military honors immediately following in Sterling White Cemetery with Pastors Mark Stafford and Carl Strickland officiating.

Condolences and memories can be shared online at www.sterlingwhite.com.