Tony Zahn

Tony was first welcomed into the world by his parents, Frederick Henry Zahn, Jr. and Betty Lee Zahn (Anthony) at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Oklahoma City on January 17, 1940.

He grew up in Oklahoma City and was a proud member of the first graduating class of Harding High School. He did his undergraduate work at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, then came back to earn his law degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He continued his study of law at NYU, obtaining a Master’s in corporate law.

Tony first practiced law by serving as a management consultant for firms operating in Philadelphia, New York and Chicago. He returned to Oklahoma and entered into private practice in both Edmond and Oklahoma City, specializing in labor relations law serving cities and towns in Oklahoma. Tony loved to share his knowledge of the law as he served as an adjunct Professor at both Oklahoma City University School of Law and Tulsa University School of Law.

Following a distinguished career in law, Tony responded to a call from God to give his life for full-time ministry. He attended both Perkins School of Theology at SMU and Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City to prepare himself for that purpose. He served as Minister of St. Luke’s/Redemption United Methodist Church in Tulsa (an arm of the Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries of the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church). Following that appointment, he served as the Executive Director of The Education and Employment Ministry (TEEM) in Oklahoma City.

Upon retirement, Tony gave his time and commitment to many worthy causes, including VOICE (Voices Organized in Civic Engagement), Ice Angels—an outreach ministry of Mosaic Community Church for our unhoused friends, and Whiz Kids—a program to strengthen the reading skills of elementary age children.

Tony’s civic endeavors were many. He was a member of the City Council for Oklahoma City from 1973-1976. He was a founding Trustee of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and proudly served in that capacity for the remainder of his life. He served a stint as a Trustee of Oklahoma City University, was a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary Club 29 and a member of Class VI of Leadership Oklahoma.

He is survived by his wife, Maggie Ball Zahn; his daughters, Katharine Cavanaugh (Mark Westerback), Heidi (Tim) Adair and Jennifer Zahn and his bonus son, David Ball. He was the proud “Grandpa Tony” to Graham, Jake and Hannah Cavanaugh and to Griffin, Elliot and Brooke Adair. He is also survived by his two brothers, Larry (Connie) Zahn and Richard (Linda) Zahn and his one sister, Betsy (Bob) Thorpe and his bonus Mom, Rosie Zahn. He was the beloved “Uncle Tony” to numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Betty Zahn and his bonus daughter, Suzanne Ball Miller.

The family is particularly grateful to the wonderful caregivers from Traditions Hospice and Visiting Angels for their loving care for Tony which enabled him to remain in his home for his last days.

Following a private interment, Tony’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, April 27 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel of Oklahoma City University, 2501 N. Blackwelder.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his memory be made to Mosaic Community Church (UCC), 3131 N.W. 50th, Oklahoma City, OK, 73112.