John Paul Zook

John Paul Zook passed away unexpectedly Monday, July 28, 2014, at the age of 64. Born in Carson City, Michigan on June 25, 1950 to J. Wesley and Mary Zook, John was an alumnus of Ball State University. It was there that he met his future wife, Katie and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1974. He and Katie married on April 17, 1976 in Logansport, Indiana.

John began his career in municipal regional planning in Indiana and Michigan and later worked in marketing with Michigan Gas. In 1989, he accepted a position with Atmos Energy - a move that brought his family - which by then included two young daughters that he adored - Courtney, born in 1985 and Kristen, born in 1987 to Plano in 1989.

Following his years at Atmos, John began to specialize in sales and marketing associated with health care benefits. Most recently, he worked as an independent marketing consultant and group benefits broker.

John was always present for anyone who needed him. He put his family and friends first. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend ; with a unique sense of humor and a way with words. His love for people was evident in his longtime role as an usher at Custer Road United Methodist Church. Greeting his church family on Sunday mornings was his way of serving. It was a role he took great pride in.

John made every person he talked to feel like the most important person on earth. Family and friends often teased him for wandering away from a crowd to investigate something or to meet someone he didn't know. His curiosity about people and his tendency to "disappear" earned him the nickname, "Uncle Waldo" from his nieces!

John loved adventure. His lifelong love of the water began when he was a boy, spending many days on the Elkhart River that runs through his hometown of Goshen in northern Indiana. Later, as an adult, he looked forward to being part of the sailing crew in the Tri-State Regatta on Lake Michigan every Labor Day weekend.

John is survived by his wife of 38 years Katie, daughters Courtney Newsom (husband Freddie) of Frisco, Texas and Kristen Lemons (husband Jimmy) of Wichita Falls, Texas, father J. Wesley Zook of Goshen, Indiana, sisters Linda Zook of Estero, Florida, Brenda Zook of Sarasota, Florida and Becci Woodward of Goshen, Indiana and brother Bob Zook of Goshen, Indiana. The proud grandfather of 5-month-old Brinley Newsom, John was anticipating the arrival of a second grandchild in early 2015. John's mother, Mary Zook, preceded him in death in 2009.

Following a memorial service on Saturday, August 2, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. CST at Custer Road United Methodist Church in Plano, a second memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. EST at College Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in John's memory to the Bed Start mission at Custer Road United Methodist Church, 6601 Custer Road, Plano, Texas 75023.