Raymond Dale Zagata

Raymond D. Zagata 1937 - 2011 Loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, minister, mentor, and friend, Raymond D. "Ray" Zagata, 74, Buhl, Idaho, passed away 12/31/2011 at home with family after a brief but courageous battle with metastatic prostate cancer. It hit him hard and fast, and although he was a very strong man, the cancer was ultimately stronger. He is now pain free and at peace with His Heavenly Father. Ray was born at home on May 7, 1937, in Buhl to Frank and Grace "Dey" Zagata. He resided in Buhl most of his life but lived in Washington briefly during WWII. Ray attended schools in Buhl, graduating in 1956. He was in the National Guard from 1956 to 1963. On October 25, 1959, he married Kathryn "Kathy" D'Arcy of Twin Falls, Idaho. Ray and Kathy have lived in Buhl since 1960 raising their daughters Ellen and Mitzie there. Ray started working as a carpenter with his father building homes while still in High School. He later went into the Bee Business with his father. After his father retired in 1981, he partnered with John VanDerWalker. Ray retired in 2000, after 30 years as a Beekeeper. He was a member of the Sioux Honey Association. He and his Dad worked side by side with one another for many years. Ray was a hard worker, fair and honest in what he did. If he said he was going to do something, he did -- you never had to doubt his word. His grandchildren learned early on, that if you wanted something done or fixed, ask Grandpa- He wasted no time in getting it done. He still did a lot of carpentry work long after he was "retired." Ray was a very active man. He had many hobbies and passions in his life. He loved to go hunting, fishing, fly fishing, camping and 3-D archery shoots with family and friends. He did dutch oven cooking, woodworking and geo-caching. He was always busy working on something. Up until his illness, he still went to his shop every day just to hang out and tinker around. He enjoyed going to his grandchildren's activities and games, always the enthusiastic fan. He was a very important figure in his grandchildren, Hunter and Tori's lives. He taught them and did many things with them. They figured out that if they wanted to go fishing or hunting, they only had to mention it to Grandpa and a trip was in the works. They were very lucky to have such an involved and active Grandpa. He loved his family very much. Ray was an active member and minister of the Buhl Community of Christ Church for 50 years. Ray is survived by his wife Kathy of 52 years, daughter Mitzie (Skip) Crown of Buhl, son-in-law Eric Hall of Twin Falls, grandchildren Hunter and Tori Crown of Buhl, and Ashlinn Hall of Twin Falls, his mother Grace Zagata of Buhl, brother Bob (Geri) Zagata of Vacaville, CA, brother-in-law John Hill of Buhl, sister-in-law, Chris (Rob) Denton of Nampa, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Ellen, father Frank, sister Eileen Hill, and sister-in-law Irene LaBounty. His family suggests donations can be made in Ray's name to Community of Christ YES fund, Buhl West End Senior Center, or St. Luke's Hospice. A special thank you to the wonderful team of St. Luke's Hospice. You were all amazing and helped make a very difficult time a little easier. Also a thank you to everyone who sent e-mails, cards, phoned or visited. Ray appreciated each and every one of them and was astounded and humbled by the outpouring of well wishes, prayers and everyone's concern for him and his family. A service of Remembrance and Celebration will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls. "You are gone but not forgotten. You will always be loved and remembered....We will miss you dearly." Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends for it is one of God's best gifts.