Roll Call Tribute

Louis Morris Zemanek 

February 1, 1937 - February 8, 2024 

Louis "Louie" Morris Zemanek passed peacefully on February 8, 2024 at Baptist Medical Center Hospital in Jacksonville, FL surrounded by his family.

Born on February 1, 1937 in Bryan, TX to Louis and Mary Zemanek, Louie remained a proud Texan throughout his life and would tell you so in a second. He truly loved attending the annual family reunions back in "God's Country."

After high school graduation, he completed a two-year stint with U.S. Army and then returned home to attend Texas A&M University . In 1959, he completed a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, his passion. To his last day, Louie was a true "Aggie" thru and thru.

In 1961, Louie and his new wife, Ethel, decided to move from Texas to Jacksonville, FL. He went to work at Gate Petroleum as a Secretary and Treasurer, and stayed for the next thirty-three years.

He took active roles in various civic organizations for nearly fifty years, such as the Loyal Order of the Moose, Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph's Church, Epping Forest Yacht Club, The River Club, and Ponte Vedra Inn & Club.

For recreation, Louie loved to play a mean game of tennis or meet up with friends at various bowling alleys. How many of you have ever rolled a perfect game of 300? He did.

Louie was preceded in death by his two late wives, Ethel Mae Zemanek (married 1961-1983) and Helen Maida Zemanek (married 1983-2016), respectively.

He is survived by his children and a number of relatives:
- Son Louis "Bubba" Morris Zemanek Jr. (Colleen), daughter Doris Chmelar (Paul) and Fawn Renee Gerry-deceased (Lou) deceased.
- Uncle Anton Luza, brother Charles Zemanek, and sister Cecilia Whelan all from Bryan, TX.
- Nephews Anthony Maida (Faten) and Charles Maida (Beverly), niece Terrie Curtis, granddaughter Haley Mae Zemanek-Dutton, grandson Christopher Ryan Chmelar, great-grandson Cai William Chmelar, great-nephew D.J. Curtis, great-niece Marianna Maida, great, great-nephew Holden Curtis, and all of his other distant relatives scattered across Texas.

Over the last few years, Louie enjoyed fishing with his son, Bubba, reading, watching the Jacksonville Jags, spending time with family and friends, or simply having a cool one at his favorite drinking hole, "My Place."

You are all invited to Louie's visitation on Thursday, February 15, 2024, 4 pm to 6 pm, at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home 11801 San Jose Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32223. Food and refreshments will be available. Louie's funeral service will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024, 11 am, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church 11757 Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL 32258, and followed by his interment in the church's cemetery.

Pallbearers: Tony Maida, D..J. Curtis, Christopher Chmelar, Christopher Condon, Chad Detlefs, and Greg Valent.

We ask those who would like to make a donation to do so in Louie's name and send it to your favorite charity. He would love that. Arrangements are made by the fine people at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home 11801 San Jose Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32223, wwww.hgmandarin.com