Philip Edward Zara

Philip (Phil) E. Zara, Lt. Col., Ret. USAF of Monument, Colorado passed away at the
age of eighty-eight on July 15, 2022.
Philip was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 19 th , 1933.
Phil earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Omaha and then
went on to earn an MBA from San Diego State University. Phil met Diane at a
Catholic social dance in Chicago, Illinois and they were married on January 19 th ,
1952.
Phil joined the Air Force in 1953. During his career in the Air Force, he and Diane
moved the family to many places throughout the United States and also overseas
while raising their two daughters Valerie and Kathleen. Phil retired from the United
States Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1987. After retiring from the Air Force, he
went to work for McDonnel Douglas (which later merged with The Boeing Company)
in Huntington Beach, California as an Engineer until 2007. Phil and Diane returned
to Monument, Colorado after his retirement with Boeing.
Phil will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-
grandfather who devoted his life to his family and career. In his spare time, he
enjoyed traveling with Diane and singing in America the Beautiful Chorus – Men’s
Barbershop Chorus. Phil loved reading a good book or working on a challenging
crossword puzzle to pass the time away. He will be remembered as a kind man and
will be missed by his family, close friends, and colleagues.
Philip was predeceased by his parents Louis and Bertha, and his two brothers
Daniel and Paul.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Diane, and two daughters: Valerie Kleinman
(Craig) and Kathleen Zara (Scott Mooney); four grandchildren: Holly Nikolich
(Daniel), Jennifer Tyler, Courtney Montoya, and Christopher Montoya; and five
great-grandchildren: Alexis, Nicole, Matthew, Mackenzie, and Michaella.

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