James H. "Zeke" Zerko, 80, of Pinehurst passed away at his lake home in Hemphill, TX, April 15, 2008.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 18, 2008, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange. Reverend Jeff Bell of Cove Baptist Church will officiate; assisting will be Mr. Mickey McNamara of Church of Christ in Orange and Elder John D. Zerko of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be 5:00-9:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Zeke was born on September 29, 1927, in Coalgate, OK, to Peter Paul and Dovie Elizabeth Prince Zerko.

Zeke served in the US Army during WWII in Germany. Zeke was employed by Levingston Shipbuilding for 38 years, where he was a supervisor. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman, and Zeke loved serving others.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Dovie Zerko.

He is survived by his brothers, Pete Zerko, Jr., Ira Zerko and wife Mary Ann, John D. "J.D." Zerko and wife Beverley, Frank Zerko and wife Nancy and Eugene Zerko and wife Linda, all of Orange; nieces and nephews, Wendy Goynes, Tara Torres, Kippi Guidry and Del, Mark, Sharon, Cindy, Leigh Ann and Mandi Kay Zerko; and a long time family friend, Frances Dean of Nederland and several great nieces, nephews and cousins.

Serving as pallbearers will be Del Zerko, Mark Zerko, Harold Gunter, Kermit Richard, Tilley DeLeon, Mack Dunkin and Jerry Isbell. Honorary pallbearers will be James "Buddy" Raymer and Roy Halliburton.