Raymond Stanley "Stan" Zapell

Raymond Stanley (Stan) Zapell, age 95, a long time resident of the Rogue Valley, passed away Sunday, April 20, 2014 in Grants Pass.

Stan was born April 22, 1918 in Meyers Falls, Washington to Raymond John Zapell & Lura Helen Smith Zapell. He grew up in Kettle Falls and Spokane and later attended the University of Idaho. Stan served in the United States Army during WWII. In 1942, he married Alice Lenore Kidwell and, during their twenty –eight years together, raised five children on a farm outside of Talent and later in Medford. Stan and Lenore were divorced in 1971.

During the majority of his working career, he was employed by Production Credit Association as a farm loan officer in both Jackson and Josephine counties. After transferring to Coos Bay, he continued in that position making loans for the local fishermen.

While in Coos Bay, he met Nancy Ellen Ruppe, and on August 24, 1981, they married. After retirement, they moved to Ashland where they remodeled and enlarged their dream home. Stan and Nancy enjoyed traveling and spending time with their eleven children.

Stan’s father was the station manager for the Great Northern Railroad in Spokane; this is when his lifelong love of trains began. While he and Nancy traveled, they were also adding to their collection of model trains, a pastime they enjoyed together.

Nancy’s love for Stan was never more obvious than in the wonderful care and devotion that she showed him during the last five years of his life. His five children will be eternally grateful to Nancy for the care that she gave their father. She was the love of his life.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy; children Daryl Lyon (Jerry) of Bakersfield, California, Kathy Krouse of Grants Pass, Patty Beard (John) of Bakersfield California, John Zapell ( Sheri) of Richfield Utah and Jim Zapell (Tracy) of West Linn Oregon; stepchildren Lynn, Joe, Peter, Lisa, David and Alex and the many grandchildren and great-grandchildren which Stan and Nancy shared.

The family wishes to extend its unmeasurable gratitude to the caregivers from All Care and Highland House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for the excellent care and love that was extended to Stan during his final days.

A celebration of Stan’s life will take place in Portland followed by an inurnment ceremony in Bakersfield, California. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.