Raul Zamarripa, age 71, passed away March 25, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He and his twin sister Rebecca were born April 16, 1951 in Brownsville, the youngest of twelve children, to Pedro Zamarripa, Sr. and Maria Lugo Zamarripa.
Upon graduating from Hanna High School in 1970, Raul’s high school football coach, Joe Rodriguez, recommended him for an Athletic Training Scholarship at Pan American University. He earned a bachelor’s degree majoring in Math, History and Physical Education. Upon graduation he earned his athletic training state licensure.
Raul began his athletic training career with Harlingen High School in 1974 when he was hired by Jesse Longhofer and quickly became known as “Doc Z”. In 1982 Richard Flores hired him as the athletic trainer at Edinburg High School until he returned to Harlingen in 1989. He retired in 2015 from his public school trainer’s career after 41 years of service for two of the most competitive athletic sports programs in South Texas. After his retirement he continued to serve as a consultant trainer for schools throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Throughout his career Doc Z had a profound impact on the lives of many athletes and student trainers—many of whom are following in his footsteps.
Throughout his professional career Zamarripa became a contributing member of professional organizations which include National Athletic Trainers Association, the Texas State Athletic Trainers Association and the Valley Athletic Trainers Association. He served as Regional Director for TSATA, as well as President of the VATA. He continued to work with various committees to promote the importance and the need of athletic trainers in the high school setting.
Zamarripa is the recipient of the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association John Harvey Humanitarian Award, the City of Palms Hall of Honor Award, and the Rio Grande Valley Coaches Association Meet of Champions Hall of Honor Award. In 2013 he was inducted into the RGV Sports Hall of Fame. He was named the THSCA Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2015, and was named to the Valley Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 2017. In 2020, Raul was inducted into the Hall of Honor by the Texas State Athletic Trainer Association (TSATA).
Raul was athletic trainer at Harlingen High School when he met his future wife, Nora Williams, when she was hired as a JV Girls Basketball Coach. This past summer they celebrated their 40th anniversary on July 29, 2022. Together they served as an inspiration to girl and boy athletes throughout the valley.
Raul was predeceased by his parents, Pedro and Maria Zamarripa, brother Pete, Jr., and sisters Guadalupe Aguilar, Aurora Garza, Ninfa Garcia, Virginia Zamarripa. He is survived by his wife, Nora (Williams), his sisters Rebecca Ruiz, Rosemary Salinas (Raul), Frances Varela, Ernestina Garcia (Roberto), Adela Arroyo, Margarita Jimenez. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life honoring Raul (“Doc Z”) Zamarripa will be held at Heavenly Grace Funeral Home, 26873 N White Ranch Rd., La Feria, TX beginning at 3 and concluding at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2023. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. followed by comments made by friends and family.
For those wishing to honor Raul’s memory a scholarship in his name has been established. Checks can be made payable to VATA (memo HOF – Raul Zamarripa), and sent to Attention Susan Detwiler, PO Box 720598, McAllen, Texas 78504. If you prefer, VATA’s cashapp is $vatargv, for HOF – Raul Zamarripa.
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