Leonard C. “Buster” Zarda
Leonard C. Zarda, 67, of Shawnee passed away Friday, August 21, 2009 at the Kansas City Hospice House.
Buster was born August 5, 1942 to Leonard and Josephine Zarda in Kansas City, Missouri. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic School class of 1960. Buster served in the Kansas National Guard and was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and participated in the Perpetual Adoration prayers. Buster was a member of the Pioneers and assisted people with disabilities. He also helped many people lead a clean and sober life through thirty seven years of sobriety and participation in Alcoholics Anonymous.
Buster was family oriented, a man of integrity, he is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Carol A. Zarda, of Shawnee, three sons, David A. Zarda, Grandview, Missouri, Kenneth R. Zarda, Kansas City, Kansas, and Lawrence P. Zarda, Overland Park, Kansas; a granddaughter, Casandra D. Zarda, and her mother Dennice Martinez, both of Blue Springs, Missouri. Two sisters, Joanne (Robert) Mills, of Midlothian, Virginia; Rita L. (Robert) Wilson, Tonganoxie, Kansas; and one brother, David P. (Jacqueline) Zarda, Eudora, Kansas and numerous nieces, nephews and many good friends also survive him.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123-1718 or American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004.
Visitation and Funeral Mass
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, August 24, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, a rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 25, at St. Joseph Catholic Church; entombment will follow in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.
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Dear Carol and family,
Please know that you are thought of and prayed for as you grieve the loss of ‘ol Buster.We are sharing your pain. He was such a good friend of our family for so many years and will certainly be missed, especially by his buddy, Mark! He is being remembered in our prayers here at the monastery and we are praying for all of the Zarda Family at this time. May he rest in peace+
Fr. Michael Stechmann, O.A.R.
Oxnard, CA
You will be missed Bus. Thank you for giving away so faithfully what was so freely given to you! You died a winner!!
Love,
Paul and Colleen
Dear Carol and Family,
We share in your sorrow. I remember the get togethers with all of our Aunts, Uncles and cousins when we were all younger what great times those were. Buster will always be a part of our youth when life seemed to be carefree, what great times those were. Thank you for being a part of our lives.
Mark, Venus and Abigail Webster
I was sad to hear of Buster’s death. He was one of my “Icon’s” as I grew up with brother Dave. Buster was 8 years older than Dave and I and drove Corvette’s. Wow…was he COOL! In the past two years, I became re-acquainted with Buster through Dave. On Wednesday’s, Dave would drive by my house and stop, if I was home. Buster always enjoyed visiting and talking about old times. Buster, Dave and I all have common interests in old cars and hot-rods. Everyone that knew Buster, respected him for his honesty and integrity. He will be missed by all of us. May God be with him and his family.
Greg Denk Sr.
Oh, to remember our younger days…Buster, you’ve made the long journey, touching our lives, God has called and now you will be with all of our parents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, watching over us.. Your work is done…….Rest in Peace
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Buster. He was a friend and co-worker at the Western Electric/ Lucent plant in Merriam. I pray God gives you comfort in your grief. Leonard was a very kind and gentle man. I am sure he will be remembered that way.
With my deepest sympathy,
David Ducey
A good man of many good deeds.
jim ladesich
Leonard, my friend…you fought a long and noble battle to survive this world and it’s worldly ways…I have known you for 37 years in the greatest Brotherhood in this world…. and I offer my deepest condolences to your family….you will surely be missed by all you have inspired along the way… I’ll see you, Pal ….. love, Ray
I offer my sympathy to Leonard’s family. I went to high school with him and remember him as a mild mannered kind person. I am proud of his sobriety for so many years. I pray to our Heavenly Father that He will comfort you as only He can do.
I have just recently learned of the passing of Mr. Zarda and I wanted to pass on to the family my deepest sympathy.
Mrs. Zarda, there has not a week gone by in the past 20 years that I don’t think of my time with Kenny and his dad. Buster was one of the kindest and hardest working men I have ever known. My dad (Don Brandel) was alwys very fond of Buster. Knowing that he is gone is like losing a part of my childhood, an end of an era. I am blessed to have known him and your whole family and I hope I can die half the man he was in life.
Sincerely,
Mike Brandel
In case you don’t know who I am, I am the father of Michael Brandel who was a classmate of Kenny. So sorry for your loss, we don’t get the paper anymore, so did not know of Buster’s passing.
I just learned of Mr. Zarda’s passing and wanted to let Kenny and the rest of the family know of my deepest sympathy. He was a great man.