Tom Zapara

Tom Zapara, a long-time ASI member and past board chair of ASI Missions, Inc., from Laguna Beach, California, went to sleep in Jesus on Sunday, June 16, 2024, with wife Vi and family members at his side. He was weeks shy of his 101st birthday. Tom's love for God and complete trust in His will led him to live in expectation of the second coming of Jesus. In addition to Vi, Tom is survived by daughter Shelley, her husband Jere Fox, their daughter Cindy, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Tom and Vi were integrally involved in ASI during a very important time of expanding vision and ministry. Tom served as president for the Pacific Union Chapter of ASI. Both he and Vi were directly involved in the formation of Mission Church Builders, ASI Missions, Inc., SDA Layman’s New Church Development, and numerous ASI projects, including the Magabook program for student colporteurs and various printing and language translation projects. Tom and Vi were also major players in the establishment of Hart Research Center, the Tom and Vi Zapara School of Business at La Sierra University, the Tom & Vi Zapara Rehabilitation Pavilion at Loma Linda University Health, the Zapara Excellence in Teaching Award for Adventist educators, and too many other significant projects to list. Tom and Vi started their lives in North Dakota, both children of Ukrainian immigrants. They first met in Southern California in the 1940’s. One of Tom’s greatest characteristics was his determined persistence. He asked Vi to marry him at least ten times before she finally said yes—on a phone call from Alaska where he and a buddy had been colporteurs all summer long. When Vi said yes, Tom wasted no time in returning home where they started a storybook relationship that lasted 77 years. Together, in their kitchen, Tom and Vi founded their first company that would grow into Zee Medical Corporation, the world leader in industrial first aid kits for manufacturing companies. Zee was Tom's Army nickname when he served as a medic in World War II. Through Tom and Vi’s sheer will and persistence, and with the blessing of God, the company grew to legendary heights. After selling the business, they established Life Support Products, another major company that served the United States emergency response market. Tom and Vi have been generous philanthropists over decades. They financially supported numerous ministries and empowered creative ideas that have had untold worldwide impact on the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Tom was very positive and upbeat and continually looked for opportunities to extend the blessings he had received. He never wavered in believing that God was responsible for his personal and financial success, and he was determined to be faithful to the responsibilities that he knew God had given him. Tom maintained his unique capacity to analyze ideas, reduce them into the abstract, and examine their potential. Six weeks prior to his death, he was engaged in learning about AI and brainstorming how it could be used for ministry. Tom’s main hobby was creating beautiful exotic wooden bowls and decorative pieces in his garage shop. Many friends enjoy having a Tom Zapara original grace their home or office. Tom loved to talk over a meal. Some of his close friends and family members already have prearranged appointments to meet Tom under the Tree of Life to celebrate being in heaven and to share all the ways God led them. He also expressed the hope that Jesus himself might join him in a meal under that same tree. Vi and her family thank you, the ASI family, for your prayers as they continue their journey in this life. While they’re experiencing natural sadness and grief in this moment of loss, they invite you to join them in celebrating the life of a man dedicated to God and family. The Celebration of Life for Tom will be at the La Sierra University Tom and Vi Zapara School of Business, Riverside, CA The memorial will be live-streamed Sunday, July 28, at 3:00pm (Pacific) at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/ElRIq_ksNsU

Tom Zapara

June 16, 2024

COVID-19

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Tom Zapara

June 16, 2024

COVID-19

Flowers & Gifts

Grief & Healing

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About Us

Obituaries

What We Do

Contact Information

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