Julius Zucha

Julius was born in Meeks, Texas to Paul and Antonie (Bartek) Zucha and raised in the communities of Westphalia, Cyclone, Zabcikville, and Seaton. He graduated from Rosebud High School and joined the United States Army in June 1953, where his main duties included working on the Nike Missile Project. While in the Army, Julius received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal in 1955 before honorably discharging from the Army in 1955.

Julius played in the Independent Baseball League with the St. Louis Cardinal Affiliation and during this time, met and married Barbara Ann Simmons of Cameron. They married on November 10th of 1956 and had three children: John Paul (Scooter), Ronda Ann, and Jerry Wayne.

Julius was a welder by trade and it was widely acknowledged that he could draw and then engineer and fabricate just about anything you could want to get built. If he put it together, it wasn’t coming apart! His children, grandchildren, and extended family were grateful for his gracious work on all of their projects.

Julius was a great husband, father, Pawpaw, and provider, working two jobs most of his life to provide the kind of life he wanted for his family. He worked at General Tire until it closed, and for many years after tearing out the equipment. He helped start Demco Trailers while he was working at General Tire. His last job, after “retiring” from General Tire, was with Neel and Associates building fire trucks until he was 86.

He enjoyed fishing, bowling, playing dominoes, playing, coaching, and watching baseball, moto-cross, cooking for his family, and going to WinStar!

Julius was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Antonie Zucha; brothers, Paul Zucha and an infant brother; mother and father-in-law, John R. and Ollie Mae Simmons; brothers and sister-in-law, Charles Roy Simmons, Billy John Simmons, and Margie Murphy.

Julius is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Barbara (Simmons) Zucha; children, John Paul Zucha (Scooter) and wife Gayle, Ronda Ann Stewart and husband Wayne, and Jerry Wayne Zucha and wife Jennifer; grandchildren, Heath Zucha and wife Gail, Ashley Meece and husband David, Julie Tonkin and husband Derek, Zach Zucha and wife Mary, Jonna Stone and husband Josh, Parker Zucha and wife Gracen; and great grandchildren, Audrey Zucha, Hayden Zucha, Hailey Hollis, Lauren Meece, Audrey Meece, Bryce Tonkin and fiancé Cambelle Starnes, Brandt Tonkin, Bella Tonkin, Walter Stone, Mabel Stone, and Lewis Stone. He is also survived by his brother, Anton Zucha and wife Mary Francis; sisters-in-law, Mary Zucha and Judy Mayer and husband Joe; as well as many loving nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 9:00-10:00 am on Friday, August 14, 2026, with a rosary recited at 9:00 am, at Grace Temple Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. Services will start at 10:00 am the same day. Burial at Waco Memorial Park Cemetery will follow the service.