The Life of THOMAS RAY ZUCKER
Thomas R. “Zook” Zucker, 61, passed away surrounded by his loving family on July 8, 2012, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born September 14, 1950, in Scribner, Nebraska, to Ray and Jeanette Zucker.
Tom had a passion for traveling and motorcycles. His love for motorcycles inspired him to open Zook’s Harley Davidson. His first store opened on February 20, 1981, in Columbia, Missouri, and signed with American Machine and Foundry (AMF). In 1984, the store moved to 2nd Avenue in Des Moines, and was one-fourth the size of their current service department. Zook’s relocated to East Euclid Avenue in 1986, and then to NE 14th Street in 1993. In 2004, the store moved to its current location, back on 2nd Avenue. It is ten times the size of the original store, and sells 20 times the number of motorcycles. It is the largest new vehicle dealer between Chicago and Denver.
Tom retired in 2007. Even through his illness, he stayed positive, was never defeated, and always had a welcome smile for anyone. He will be remembered for his blunt honesty, witty sense of humor, and kind advice.
Those left to cherish Tom’s memory are his daughter, Carolyn (fiancé, Travis Cullen) Zucker; father, Ray Zucker; brother, Rob Zucker; long time companion, Ginny Swift; best friend and caretaker, Larry Perisho; and many other loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jeanette; and daughter, Katie.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, July 13, 2012, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. A visitation will be held Thursday evening from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society in loving memory of Tom.
