Obituary for Emmett George Zelenka Jr.
Emmett (Zeke, Mr. Z) George Zelenka, Jr. passed on May 7, 2020 at the age of 84. He leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Kathleen (Kit) Ahrens Zelenka and four children, son Emmett G. Zelenka III (daughter in law Vicki Zelenka), daughter Kris Doyle (son in law Shawn Doyle), son Chuck M. Zelenka (daughter in law Kirsten Zelenka), and daughter Lauren Pilarski (son in law Michael Pilarski) and six grandchildren–Emmett Zelenka IV, Megan Doyle Trummel, Shane Doyle, Noah Zelenka, twins Paxton and Alexis Zelenka. He is also survived by his sister Isma Luquette.
Zeke grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana and was a stellar athlete playing football and baseball throughout his youth excelling on the Fortier High School football team. He played right tackle for four years at Tulane University from 1952-1956 and played one year of professional football for the Montreal Alouettes. He was drafted and spent two years in Army military service. Zeke and Kit were married in 1956 in New Orleans. After military service, Zeke began his career in the auto finance industry moving his family from New Orleans, LA to Beaumont, TX, back to Baton Rouge, LA, next to Gulfport, MS and finally to the middle Tennessee area in Madison, Smyrna and Murfreesboro. He always loved to watch and coach sports, play golf, road trip to visit friends and family out of state, hunting and guns, fix and maintain our cars, handyman work on the house and yard, and rescue his kids when needed. He will be remembered as the most remarkable example of the perfect husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and man.
Arrangements are under the direction of Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 820 South Church St., Murfreesboro, TN 37130. 615-893-2422. Please leave online condolences at www.jenningsandayers.com.
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VIA: https://www.jenningsandayers.com/obituaries/Emmett-Zelenka/#!/Obituary
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