Richard “Dick” Ray Zellaha, 76, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2015 at the Hemingford Community Care Center in Hemingford, Nebraska after a year-long battle with health issues. Dick moved to Hemingford in May of 2012 to be closer to his daughter & family. He was born November 4, 1938 to Raymond and Beatrice (Hagedorn) Zellaha in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
Dick attended school in Spirit Lake, graduating in 1957. At an early age of 5 he had a great interest in boxing. I recently asked Dad why he became interested in boxing…he said, “well, I thought I was tough!” followed by a chuckle. He boxed as an amateur boxer at age 17 and was known as the “Great Lakes Mauler”. One of the highlights of his career was boxing against George Cruz who later became a professional boxer. George boxed against the great Sugar Ray Robinson who was a welter and middle weight champion of the world. I believe the story was told to me that George indicated to Dad that he should just lie down and call it good. All said and done, it only cost him two teeth. Dick had the opportunity in the early 60’s to meet boxers Jersey Joe Walcott and Sonny Liston, and Angelo Dundee who was Muhammad Ali’s trainer. Dick spearheaded Alliance’s first boxing smoker at the City Auditorium in 1978, promoting young boxers in the panhandle. He also had love for all animals, raising rabbits, homing pigeons, and parakeets most of his life.
Dick married Marilyn Kay Johnson on September 8, 1957 in Spencer, Iowa. There were 2 children born to this family, Jodi and Shane. He worked for his father at the Sinclair oil station, owned the Rec Center in Spirit Lake, and also helped with his dad’s taxi service for a number of years.
In 1964 the family moved to Spencer, Iowa where Dick was employed at JC-Penney. In 1971 they were transferred to Dennison, Iowa, in 1972 to North Platte, Nebraska, and then Alliance, Nebraska in 1973 where Dick managed the JC-Penney store on Box Butte Ave. He was known as “Mr. Z” at the top of the Butte. He enjoyed doing radio ads at KCOW to promote sales at his store and also dabbled in local sports broadcasting. In 1987 Dick was the Mayor of Alliance, first serving on the city council for several years. Dick went to work at K-Mart in 1981 and in 1990 moved back to Spencer, Iowa and later Spirit Lake, Iowa where he made his home for 21 years.
Dick is survived by his daughter, Jodi (Dave) Roes of Hemingford, NE, his son, Shane (Diana) Zellaha of Spencer, IA; his grandchildren, Zack (Mindy) Vasa of Rock Springs, WY, April (Chase) Olsen of Casper, WY, Brody Roes of Alliance, NE, Tyson (Kristen) Zellaha of Cincinnati, OH, and Shayna (Cory) Ege of Cherokee, IA; 5 great grandchildren, Zackery, Tabitha, Mary, and Leslie Vasa, and Landon Ray Zellaha. He is also survived by his brothers, Virgil (Janice) Zellaha of Lemoyne, NE and Dennis Zellaha of Milford, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law, Randy Vasa.
Cremation has taken place and memorial services will be held Saturday, May 30, 2015 in Spirit Lake, Iowa with a luncheon to follow.
Memorials may be given to the Spirit Lake Volunteer Fire Department, 2001 Peoria Ave., Spirit Lake, Iowa, 51360, the Hemingford Volunteer Fire Department, or the Alliance Volunteer Fire Department.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.