Luis E. Zapata

Louis (Luis) E. Zapata was born in 1943 to Juan G. and Angelita E. Zapata in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was the oldest of eight siblings. He graduated in 1962 from Ray High School, then began Del Mar College while working for his father. Drafted into the army in 1966, Louis honorably served his country for two years as a finance clerk. He was miraculously kept out of Vietnam by his father’s prayers. Upon discharge Louis went back to school at Texas A&M University in Kingsville, Texas where he met and married his wife of 47 years, Martha Ann Johnson, in 1970. Louis completed his BS degree in Chemistry in 1973.

Louis was a mild-mannered man with a quiet smile, a warm sense of humor, and was a loyal Spurs fan. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. Three sons were born to Louis and Martha: Jeremy Daniel Zapata (45), John David Zapata (42), and Charles Elliot Zapata (40). Jeremy is married to Brenda and they have three children, Josiah and twins Christianna and Elianna, and live in San Antonio, Texas. John is married to Charlene and they have two children, Abigail and Benjamin, and live in Frisco, Texas. Charles is single and also lives in Frisco.

Louis worked in several different occupations including teacher, counselor, salesman and small business owner. In 1995 he and his wife started Crown Transcription, and together they grew it to become one of the premier medical transcription companies in South Texas. In 2009 Louis and Martha moved from Corpus Christi to San Antonio where he retired in 2016. They moved to Brookdale Patriot Heights, an independent living facility in San Antonio, in July 2018.

Deeply spiritual, his singular focus was seeing the Kingdom of God come to this earth. Through the years, this focus led him to serve as an elder, and then pastor of a small church in Corpus Christi. For years he and his family attended Church of the King in Corpus Christi under Bible teacher Jack Carter. In 1997 Louis and Martha met Sam Soleyn who would become a lasting spiritual influence in their life. They were always eager to travel to hear Sam and other apostolic leaders speak. Over the last 20 years of his life, Louis became deeply connected to the Body of Christ through close fellowship with his spiritual father, Corbett Gaulden, as well as to many others in the household of faith in Christ. His strong faith and godly example became the heritage Louis left to his family.

Louis is survived by five siblings: Alfonso and his wife Gloria of Burtonsville, Maryland; Alba and her husband Bruce Sewell of Tampa, Florida; Wanda and her husband Alfonso (“Red”) Garza of Hondo, Texas; Lydia Lazo of Corpus Christi, Texas; Aaron and his wife Rosie of Corpus Christi, and many nieces and nephews. Louis is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Yolanda Barrera of McAllen, and Janice Leal of Corpus Christi, Texas. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, Martha has suggested a donation in Louis’ name to the missionary organization Ambassadors of the Kingdom via the website https://www.ambassadorsotk.com.