George Ronald Zell, 87, passed away Saturday, May 29th at home after suffering a massive stroke as a complication of a heart valve replacement procedure on April 26th. After a heroic effort to recover, his health further deteriorated, and he returned home for hospice care to spend his remaining days surrounded by his family and closest friends.

George Ronald Zell was born on March 28, 1934, in St. Louis Missouri to George John and Evelyn Walker Zell. In keeping with family tradition as the firstborn son, he was named George but was affectionately referred to as Ron by family and friends. George graduated from St. Louis University with a degree in civil engineering. In June of 1956, George married Janet who passed away in 2017. Their long and loving marriage was blessed with four children, George and Mary who predeceased their mother and father and their surviving children, Joseph (Christine) and Thomas.

George will be remembered for his strength of character, generosity, kindness, strong friendships, sharp intellect, engineering prowess and strong Catholic faith.  But his devotion to his family is what most defined his character. He was a strong presence for his mother and five younger siblings following the untimely death of his father in 1959. He loved and protected Janet through their long marriage and encouraged and counseled their children. In his later years, George delighted in his grandchildren, Lauren (Eric) and Kevin (recently engaged to Lexie), step grandchildren Hannah and Aubrie (Mateus), and he remained close to the families of his deceased brother, James (Kathy), and his surviving brothers, Carl (Joan), Richard (Judy) and his sisters Theresa, and Karen (Stephen). His loss is mourned by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and cousins.
After college George was activated as an officer in the United States Air Force and served in the 13^th Air Task Force in Taipei Taiwan from 1956 to 1959. After returning, with Janet and their first child George after the death of his father, he began his career as a structural engineer with Lapin and Dabler in St Louis, and worked briefly for McDonnell Aircraft.  In 1961 he joined Monsanto Chemical and spent the remainder of his career there, focused on the design of chemical plants and in later years in the development of Superfund clean-up facilities and operations. While at Monsanto he completed his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Missouri Rolla. He also developed a group of lifelong Monsanto friends that he stayed close to in his retirement. He and Janet lived in Creve Coeur Missouri for 36 years and then moved into Brookdale Senior Living in Creve Coeur where he and Janet lived for the last eleven years. There he became very close friends with other residents and caregivers. He was especially close to Mary Jane Brinkman and her family in the years since Janet’s passing.

A memorial mass will be held on June 12th at 10 am at Incarnate Word Parish in
Chesterfield, Mo, and the burial will follow at 11:30 am at Calvary Cemetery. The
family suggests donations to NAMI St Louis in lieu of flowers.

A special thanks from the family to the team at Brookdale Senior Living, AccuCare, and Mercy Hospice who took amazing care of him in his final days.

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