Joseph Zager

Joseph Zagar, 87, passed away on March 18, 2024 at the Piper Memory Care in Kansas City, Ks.

Joe was born on March 5, 1937 to Matthew and Bertha (Krulic) Zagar. He graduated from Wyandotte High School in KCK in 1955. While attending Wyandotte, he was a member of the swim team and that is where he learned that he had a love of working with wood.

After High School, he married his high school sweetheart Mary Louise Rutler. They went on to have 4 children. He also coached 3&2 baseball with his father-in-law for his nephews. He used to take the same nephews hunting where they actually performed as the dogs. They would have to shag out the rabbits but they thought they were hunting. They found out the truth later.   

He was an Aviation Mechanic in the Airforce and a member of the Meat cutters Union. He retired after 28 years of service with the Kansas City, KS Fire Department. 

To say that Joe loved the Lake of the Ozarks would be an understatement. He owned and operated a BBQ there, BJ’s BBQ for many years. He lived there for over 30 years. He loved everything about the lake. He never met a stranger.

He absolutely loved people. He always wanted to make sure everybody was happy. He loved his daughter and grandchildren more than anyone would ever know. He absolutely loved his lake neighbors. He had numerous nieces and nephews that he loved. He was a very private person.

He was preceded in death by his children, Joseph, Steven, Denise, grand children, Brandon & Kristin Marcel, parents Matthew & Bertha Zagar, siblings Mary Novosel, Emily Pinder, Frances Labesky, Dorothy Zagar, Helen Zagar, Frank, Matthew & John Zagar. 

He is survived by his daughter Connie Jo Parker, grand-daughter Amanda Jo Marcel and numerous nieces and nephews.

Celebration of life at a later date.