James “Jim” Henry Zenner 93, was welcomed home on June 3rd 2020 in Clifton TX. He was a devoted, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. His fun loving nature and storytelling abilities were the stuff of legend.
Jim was born on January 1, 1927, in Fredericksburg TX. to Eugene William Zenner and Mable May (Goodale) Zenner. The family moved to San Antonio when Jim was a young child, and he attended St Ann’s school through the 7th grade. Another move took the family to Houston where Jim attended St. Thomas High School, graduating in 1944. After graduation, Jim joined the Navy where he served in the Pacific theatre. He was a radio operator aboard the carrier McKasser Strait and was honorably discharged in July 1946. Following the war, Jim returned home to Houston and enrolled at University of Houston for a semester…college just wasn’t for him as he pursued his high school sweetheart Madora Mae Cernosek. They married November 11, 1948, at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Houston. They purchased their first home in Houston in 1950.
Jim had several jobs over the course of his lifetime beginning with his Uncle Amos’s radiator shop in downtown Houston. After a short stint there he pursued a career with Gulf Oil where he worked for 10 years, working his way to becoming a Purchasing Supervisor. Jim’s final career move came about with an opportunity with Grove Valve and Regulator, where he remained for some 31 years. This move took Jim and his family to Northern California where they lived for two years. When an opportunity opened up in the Houston Sales Region, Jim was all about getting his family back to Texas! In his career he sold valves from the Alaska pipeline to Cape Canaveral. He was highly regarded in the industry and known by his colleagues for tremendous product knowledge and the ability to ensure that any valve he sold, exceeded the design specs for the project. Jim established many solid industry relationships, which developed into lifelong friendships across the country.
Jim was a devoted family man and loved to watch football. Additionally he loved the water and had many weekends of fun, from Dickinson Bay, to Lake Livingston and finally Lake Conroe. Whether with his kids or later in life, his grandkids, Jim loved boating, water skiing etc. The Bar BQ pit was always going and the stories never stopped! The love for his wife and devotion to the entire family will last in all our memories forever.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Madora Mae Cernosek Zenner of Clifton as well as his 5 children and their spouses. Mike Zenner and wife Marie of Harper Tx, Kathy Zenner Harr and husband Steve of Clifton Tx, Andrew Zenner and wife Sandy of San Ramon Ca., Mary Zenner Krenzer and husband Paul of Richmond Tx. and finally Deborah Zenner Anderson and husband Jody of Lufkin Tx. He is also survived by ten grandchildren, Scott Zenner and wife Kara of Rogers Ar., Greg Zenner and wife Randalynn of Houston, Travis Harr and wife Becca of San Diego Ca., Nathan Harr and wife Lauren of Ft. Worth Tx, Nicole Zenner of San Ramon Ca., Christopher Farrar of Forney Tx, Shannon Farrar of Forney Tx., Samantha Nichols and husband Ryan of Dallas Tx., Brad Anderson of Longview Tx and Alicia Anderson of Forney Tx. Jim’s life was also blessed by grandchildren…Kinley Zenner, Madelynn Zenner, Avery Zenner, Brooklynn Zenner, Hudson Harr, Walker Harr, Bryce Nitti, Margot Nicols, Luke Anderson & Natalie Anderson. Other survivors include many nephews & nieces all of whom he loved.
Visitation will be held Friday, June 12, 2020, from 12:30pm to 2:00pm at Cashner Funeral Home. A Celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Friday, June 12, 2020, at 2:00pm at Cashner Funeral Home in Conroe, TX. with burial following in the Garden Park Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in the memory of Jim Zenner to Sunset Ministries, 413 Sunset Ave., Clifton TX 76634.The public is welcome to watch the funeral service via Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/CashnerFuneral
