The Memorial Wall

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend Ronald Alan Zacky. He battled Parkinson's for many years, putting up a galant fight. We thank his caregivers, who also became friends, for their extreme devotion to his care; Albert, Mario, and Nana – we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Born on July 26, 1937, at Cedars of Lebanon to Bertha and Harry Zacky, Ron was truly a native of Los Angeles.  After being raised on a chicken ranch on Sherman Way in Van Nuys, Ron decided to spread his wings, and fly the coop, joining the United States Army. While stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, he learned he was much more proficient with a pencil, than a rifle.  After being honorably discharged from the Army, Ron served in the Air Force reserves, from which he was also honorably discharged, before becoming a Certified Public Accountant, and started a thriving practice in Sherman Oaks, which he managed for over 40 years.  He married the love of his life, Sandra in 1962, and started a family, having three sons, Hayden, Mathew and Brent.  Even though Ron had only sons himself, he has 9 grandchildren, including 8 girls, and 1 boy.  He was a mentor to many, and counseled them on business, investments, and life.  Ron leaves behind his loving wife of 58 years, Sandra, and his sons Hayden (Michelle), Mathew, and Brent (Amy), and his wonderful grandchildren who he loved so much: Daniella, Sofia, Gabrielle, Grayson, Connor, Sara, Camille, Elizabeth, and Rachel.  We are going to miss you!  We hope you enjoy a "nemu" in heaven, while you are taking a "boodi" and then you can have a nice, long "foofi"  You deserve it!  We love you so much Pop! You will be sorely missed! 

Dr. Toru Iura, 97, passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles on September 7, after 15 years with Parkinson's disease.

He was born on August 2, 1923, to Ekizo and Yaeko Iura -- immigrant farmers from Fukuoka, Japan -- who ran a family laundry business in San Francisco. During the Depression, the family moved to Los Angeles, eventually opening the L.A. Center Nursery on Western Avenue. In the wake of Executive Order 9066, along with other Japanese-Americans, the family was forced to leave California in 1942 and spent the years during WWII in Fort Lupton, CO.

Dr. Iura attended Los Angeles High School and served in the Army from 1944 to 1946. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his M.S. and Ph.D degrees from CalTech.

During the 50s and 60s, Dr. Iura worked on space and missile development while employed at Rocketdyne, Propulsion Research, and The Aerospace Corporation. In 1975, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he developed civil and military programs in environment and energy conservation and risk management. After retiring from Aerospace in 1985, he continued to work as a consultant for 20 more years.

Toru's sense of humor and love of singing will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Judy; his sister, Joanne Creissen; and his five daughters, Lesley, Caroline, Dena (and Ed Harte), Aimee, and Kelly (and Jason Hughes). He also leaves behind four grandchildren, Jake Watters, William Harte, and Julien and Maia Hughes, and many nieces and nephews.

My father leaves behind his wife Maria Gracia Gonzalez and his daughter Jessica Gonzalez.  My father was a Master electrician and he enjoyed teaching math to his coworkers and myself to get my bachelor's degree from UH.  He will be deeply missed, he was a great role model and he will no longer suffer from the deteriorating disease known as Parkinson's. He is now resting in peace and rejoicing with the angels.  God bless his soul, he was an honorable father.

Service: Wednesday, September 9, 2020

J Leal Funeral Home
11123 Katy Fwy
Houston, TX 77079

Time: 9 am to 12 pm

Mass: St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church 09/09/20

Time: 2 pm

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Parkinson's Resource Organization.

Eugene E. Loya, age 83, resident of Lake Shore, passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2020 at Good Samaritan Society – Bethany. Gene was born on June 6, 1937 in Brainerd to Ernest and Elsie (Kruger) Loya.

Gene graduated from Brainerd High School and was on the basketball state championship team of 1954. After graduation, he attended the University of Minnesota where he earned his Doctorate in Dental Medicine. After school, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Tinker Air Force base in Del City, Oklahoma. Eventually, Gene opened his own dental practice in Minneapolis which was later relocated to Nisswa. He was an avid fisherman until he found his true passion in golf. Him and his wife, Patricia, were longtime golf members at Madden’s. His children will miss him and remember him as a fun, yet always a practical father.

He is survived by his children, Kristi (Don) Nelson, Greg (Denise), Brad (Heather); grandchildren, Tyler and Brett Nelson, Kelly (Derek) Jackson, Blake Loya, and Caitlyn and Makenna Loya; great-grandson, Owen Jackson; sister, Darlene Bolme; sister-in-law, Karen (Roger) Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 61 years, Patricia (Marttila) Loya; brothers-in-law, Robert Marttila and Jeff Bolme; and sister-in-law, Jackie Marttila.

Eugene Loya lived with Parkinson's disease 

Daniels was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a product of his years as a boxer, in the early ’90s.

An undated archive promo photo of Terry Daniels vs Joe Frazier fight.

Terry Daniels, an SMU student who took up boxing on the side, ultimately fighting Joe Frazier for the world heavyweight title in New Orleans the night before the Cowboys won their first Super Bowl at Tulane Stadium in 1972, died last week at 74 after a long illness.

Daniels was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a product of his years as a boxer, in the early ’90s. He’d lived in Willoughby, Ohio, since 2004, when one of his brothers moved him from Houston back to his hometown.

Daniels, an honor student in high school who played football and baseball at SMU before a knee injury ended those athletic pursuits, started boxing at Dallas' Pike Park Gym to stay in shape. He won three city championships and a state title before turning pro in 1969.

He’d compiled a modest record of 28-4-1 and was ranked ninth in the world when his promoter, Doug Lord of Dallas, finagled a shot at the title. Lord sold Frazier’s management team on a couple of marketing concepts.


“I told them I’ve got a white kid from Dallas,” Lord told The Dallas Morning News in 2004, "and he’s friends with the Dallas Cowboys, and everybody knows they’re going to the Super Bowl.

“And they bought it.”

Muhammad Ali, who’d lost the heavyweight title to Frazier 10 months earlier, did his best to help the hype.

“Outside of me,” the former champ said, motioning toward Daniels, “he’s the prettiest boxer around.”

More than 20 pounds lighter than Frazier, Daniels was also the biggest underdog in a heavyweight fight in 15 years. Frazier knocked him down three times before the referee stopped the fight in the fourth.

Daniels later said he felt like shaking the referee’s hand. He’d never faced anyone as imposing as Frazier.

“I hit him a couple times,” Daniels told The News in 2004. "Hit him pretty good, and he just stood there, lookin' at me like nothin' happened.

“It was pretty scary.”

Just the same, Daniels was smitten with his newfound fame. The day after the big fight, he sat at midfield to watch the Cowboys beat the Dolphins, 24-3. He lost four more fights that year before graduating from SMU in December with a degree in political science.

Lord advised him to quit, telling him he’d never get another big payday. He was smart and came from a wealthy family. But Daniels liked boxing, even when he lost. He retired in 1981 with a record of 35-30-1.

He subsequently became partners with his former trainer in a court-reporting business and moved to Houston. He married and divorced twice before the Parkinson’s diagnosis.

He outlived the prognosis of one doctor who told him he’d be dead before he was 60, but he knew it was only a matter of time. Not that it seemed to bother him much. Daniels, who leaves three sons and eight grandchildren, had no regrets.

“I’d do it again,” he said in 2004. "You can find lots of boxers that didn’t get hurt. I’m glad I did it.

“It was a wild ride.”

Tom Seaver was the legendary Hall of Fame pitcher who won 3 Cy Young Awards and led the 1969 “Miracle Mets” to a World Series championship win.  Died at the age of 75 from Lewy body dementia and complications of Covid-19. “Terrific” Tom Seaver made the Mets as a starting pitcher in 1967 and won 16 games and the National League Rookie of the Year award. In 1969, he helped lead the underdog “Miracle Mets” to a World Series win over the Baltimore Orioles. Seaver pitched a 10-inning complete-game win in game 4 of the series. After a dispute in contract negotiations before the 1977 season, Seaver was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in a trade called the “Midnight Massacre.” He returned to the Mets in a trade for the 1983 season and then pitched for the White Sox from 1984 until the middle of 1986, finishing the season and his career that year with the Red Sox. Seaver won three Cy Young Awards, won 311 games, and had 3,640 strikeouts. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992 with almost a 100 percent yes vote.  

On finally pitching a no-hitter in 1978 while with the Reds; “A no-hitter is momentary,” he said afterward. “You enjoy the moment. But nothing can ever compare to winning a World Series.” – New York Daily News

One of Germany's most famous cartoonist, whose career spanned 40 years, has died unexpectedly. The artist was known worldwide for his drawings of animals and people with huge noses as well as his cheeky humor.

The cartoonist, famous for his animal and human characters with big, bulbous noses, had been suffering from Parkinson's disease, but his death was considered sudden, according to Seifert.   

He was buried according to his wishes at a ceremony attended by his closest friends, Katja Seifert, head of the Uli Stein Foundation for Animals in Need, said.

Born on December 26, 1946, in Hanover, Stein left to pursue his studies in Berlin and worked as a freelance photographer and a copywriter for local newspapers. 

He then dropped out of his studies to become a full-time journalist. Since the late 1970s, Stein devoted the rest of his career to drawing.

His drawing style typically featured bulgy-eyed and bulbous-nosed animal and human characters including cats, dogs, mice, and penguins.

Stein published his first postcards in 1982, followed by his first books in 1984.

Over his 40-year long career, his works featured in more than 13 million books and almost 200 million postcards across Europe, where he became known for his cheeky sense of humor. 

"I want to give people some fun, entertain them and give them nice moments in bad times or in good times," Stein said in an interview in 2009.

On August 28, Alexander Zale, an actor who had a long and illustrious career on New York, European, and regional stages, as well as roles in several iconic movies and TV shows, died peacefully at home in Los Angeles of complications from Parkinson's disease. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jennifer Donohue Zakkai, his brother Victor Zakkay, as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews with whom he remained very close throughout his life.

Alex Zale was born Jamil Zakkai in Baghdad, Iraq on March 18, 1931, into a Jewish family. Shortly after a pogrom in 1941, during which hundreds of Jews were slaughtered, he and his entire family fled to Bombay (now Mumbai), India. He emigrated to the United States at age 18 and graduated from Hofstra University. He served in the U.S. Navy, before making his way as an actor in New York City.

Jamil, as he was still called, soon found great success on the New York stage. He appeared in The Connection with The Living Theatre, and joined the company on a European tour. He stayed in Italy to work with Vittorio Gassman's company, Teatro Popolare Italiano, traveling with it to the Aldwych Theatre in London.

Back in New York, he triumphed in the title role of Agamemnon at Lincoln Center, following it with another title role in La Mama's production of Faust, about which the New York Times wrote: "Jamil Zakkai, last summer's 'Agamemnon,' in Central Park, retains his grandeur as Faust. In his haunted eyes, we can sense the man's dilemma-the amazement and curiosity with which he greets Mephistopheles's machinations, the guilt that he feels when he is forced to kill his love's brother." Other theater projects in New York included Andrei Serban's Medea at La Mama and The Public Theater's productions of The Golem, The Dybbuk, and Henry V opposite Kevin Kline.

To pursue work in Los Angeles, he changed his name to Alexander Zale. He was featured in several popular TV shows, including Cagney & Lacy, The Incredible Hulk, Matlock, Tracey Takes On, NYPD Blue, and 24. Films include Francis starring Jessica Lange, Invasion U.S.A. opposite Chuck Norris, Mike Nichols' Postcards From The Edge starring Meryl Streep, Paul Verhoeven's Showgirls, and Robin Swicord's Wakefield with Bryan Cranston.

Regional theaters in which he worked include the Baltimore Center Stage, Seattle Rep, South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, CA, and, in Los Angeles, Pacific Resident Theater, as well as the Mark Taper Forum, where he appeared in The Cherry Orchard with Annette Bening, Alfred Molina, and Sarah Paulson.  

Larry Marlin Julien passed away August 27, 2020 at home in Houghton, MI with family at his side after a 4 year battle with brain cancer and Parkinsons. 

Larry was born August 16, 1937 in Nora Springs, Iowa to George and Lorette (Swartwood) Julien. 

When he was 11 years old, he moved with his family to a farm near Fairchild, WI where he lived until he graduated from Fairchild High School in 1955. He then went to college at University of Wisc, Madison before enlisting into the Marine Corp from 1956 to 1958, leaving with the rank of Corporal to return to college. He attended Univ of Wisc, River Falls, earning a BS in Chemistry and Math in 1962. He was Senior Class President; Captain of the Wrestling team, State Champion heavy weight wrestler 3 years and one year runner up, and National Champion wrestling runner up one year; Captain of the Football team and named All Conference Football team his final year. 

Larry was contacted by a pro football team inviting him to their team, but decided to continue his education. He was inducted into the first River Falls, Athletic Hall of Fame for both Wrestling and Football. 

During that time, Larry had 2 daughters, Sandra and Elizabeth from his marriage to Olga (Mazurak) Julien. He went on to grad school at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, where he received his Doctorate in Physical Chemistry in 1966. After graduation, Larry knew he wanted to live and work in the northern Midwest, so he drew a line on a map between Minneapolis and Midland, Mich and applied to teach at 6 colleges that were located north of that line. He visited 5 of those campuses and was given job offers from all 5 of them. He chose Michigan Tech because he was so impressed with students all busy studying in the Student Union. He taught at MTU from 1966 until his retirement in 2000. Classes he taught included Physical Chemistry, Quantum Chem, Statistics, Advanced graduate P Chem, and Freshman Chem classes where he used lots of chemical demonstrations in his lectures. He developed and taught summers Computers for the classroom to High School Science Teachers from across the nation, (when many profs at Tech still did not use computers yet) and volunteered doing after-school science programs at local schools. He served 2 years as president of the University Faculty Senate, he was University Ombudsman, and was Marshal for the MTU graduation ceremonies. 

Larry enjoyed fishing with all his kids as they grew up, and watching them all in sports, traveling to watch all their games and practices. He was a boy scout leader, a youth soccer and baseball coach, a softball player/coach, excellent bowler and played the NBA for years at Tech (noon basketball). He loved to watch his daughters in track, drill team, cheerleading, and figure skating practices and competitions. He loved to take week-long adventures in canoes to fish the remote rivers of Canada with his friends, and sons when they got old enough to join these trips. 

Larry liked living in the country, especially living on Lake Superior for 35 years in a house he and wife Connie built themselves at the end of a long road. 

Larry was a friend to all he met and was always willing to listen or help them in any way he could; and all his kids agree he was the best dad ever! After retirement, Larry enjoyed 18 holes of golf every weekday morning in the summers and then chatting with friends every morning at downtown cafés in the winter. 

He and his wife Connie (Thompson) celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary on August 23rd. Larry is survived by his wife, Connie, a brother, Randy (Jane) Julien of Fairchild, Wi and sister Janice Pierce in Menomonie, Wisc. Daughter Sandra (Chuck) in Woodbury, MN who have 3 children, Samantha, Patrick and Jeff Nordeen. Daughter Elizabeth (Dave) in Woodbury, MN who have one daughter, Kimberly Doerr (soon to be a Physician.) Larry married Connie (Thompson) Julien in 1982 and they have two sons. Jason (Tara) who have 2 preschool children, Chase and his sister Charlie Julien in Waukesha, Wisc. Jonathan (Jennifer) have 2 preschool girls, Esrey and Malone in Houghton.

Gerard “Jerry” Petitt, a life-long resident of Long Beach, CA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 26, 2020. Jerry was born at the 32nd Street Naval Base in San Diego, CA. He was born on March 21, 1953 to Jack and Gloria Petitt. He attended school at Carver, St. Cornelius, St. Anthony's and graduated from Millikan High School in 1971.

Most of Jerry's professional life was spent as the owner and operator of a small business called Petitt’s Plumbing. He was adored by many of his customers and often offered services free of charge because of his big heart. He ran the business for 25 years until he was forced into an early retirement after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

Jerry was an amazing athlete. He competed on the US surfing team and raced motorcycles (even appearing in the original film “Gone In 60 Seconds”). He covered miles and miles of Long Beach on his skateboard and even once rode down Signal Hill backward on a bike! He played softball and racquetball for many years and was a hobby enthusiast. He enjoyed betting on horses at the Los Alamitos racetrack where he took his wife, Paula, on their first date. He married Paula in February of 1991 and became a step-father to Emily and Elizabeth.

Jerry loved animals, the desert, music, the ocean, 7Eleven coffee, and his family. Jerry was a good listener and was kind to all. There will never be another Jerry Petitt. We will miss him so very, very much.

Jerry is survived and adored by his wife Paula of 29 years, his children Emily (Kevin) Roden and Elizabeth (David) Barnard, his seven grand-children - Rosie, Luke, Abigail, Frank, Pearl, James Dixon, and Benjamin, and his sister Dianne Petitt (Lesley McBride), and his brother Jack (Debi) Petitt.

A service will be held to celebrate Jerry's life at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Details will be forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jerry’s name to Parkinson’s Resource at https://www.parkinsonsresource.org.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401