Ira Lee Zerko
Ira Lee Zerko, 88, of Orange, passed away on November 18, 2019, at The Oaks of Beaumont.

Funeral services will be 12:00 p.m., Saturday, November 23, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Pastor Charles Empey. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Coalgate, Oklahoma, on September 23, 1931, Ira was the son of Peter Paul Zerko and Dovie Elizabeth (Prince) Zerko. Ira graduated from Lutcher Stark High School and went on to honorably serve his country in the United States Air Force in the Korean War. He was awarded Outstanding Airman by Lyndon B. Johnson for his service. Ira worked for A. Schulman for 38 years as a production supervisor, and his work was very important to him. He was a member of Cove Baptist Church for 20 years and had a passion for hunting and fishing. Ira really enjoyed being outdoors in his garden and always shared his vegetables with everyone. He was also selected for the Pay It Forward award through Dugood Credit Union. Ira touched so many lives and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Dovie Zerko; son, Carl Eugene Shafer; granddaughter, Lauren Shafer; grandson, Ricky George, III; brothers, James “Zeke” Zerko, Frank Zerko, Eugene Zerko, and Pete Zerko.

He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, MaryAnn Zerko; children, Sharon Elizabeth Zerko, Cindy Lee Zerko, Sarah McClendon and husband Dean, Margaret George and husband Ricky all of Orange, James Shafer and wife Renoria of Bridge City, and Walter Shafer of Louisiana; 18 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; 1 great great granddaughter; brother, John David Zerko and wife Beverley of Orange; sister in laws, Nancy Zerko of Orange, and Nancy Cox of Indiana; nieces and nephews, Del Zerko and wife Kathleen, Mark Zerko and wife Tammy, Leigh Anne Zerko and partner Dawn, Wendy Buhler and husband R.J., Kippi Fanning, Tara Torres and husband Kyle, Andy Shafer, Christine Hickman, Melissa Shafer, Melinda Shafer, Michael Shafer, and Mandi Zerko.

Serving as pallbearers will be David Zerko, Del Zerko, Mark Zerko, Chris George, Jimmy Shafer, Jimmy Kirkpatrick, Dean McClendon, and Ricky George, Jr. Honorary pallbearers are Harold Gunter, Chuck Burch, Terrell Burch, and Billy Hardin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Cove Baptist Church at 1005 Dupont Dr. Orange.