Raymond Herman Zitur

Raymond Herman Zitur was born in St Cloud, Minnesota on October 12, 1925, the second oldest of eight children born to Miriam and Michael Zitur, both deceased. He entered the Army in 1943 served in the 82nd Airborne 505 Division. Ray parachuted into St. Mere Eglise in Normandy on D-Day to defend the La Fiere Bridge; he fought in numerous other battles including the Battle of the Bulge and was involved with liberating one of the many concentration camps. Ray returned to the states and served with the 26th Infantry until he retired in January 1966. Following that time, he worked in the Civil Service system until he was appointed Director of Data Processing for the County of El Paso in November 1968. He was responsible for total modernization of the computer department from a card system to a full on-line operation. During this period he was selected as part of a task force by Governor Preston Smith to rewrite the criminal justice code for the State of Texas. Also, during this period he was one of six original founders of an organization which became known as the Texas Criminal Justice Information Users Group which grew to encompass over 500 Federal, State County, district and municipal members. Ray served a term as President of this organization along with other offices. He left the county in late 1978 and worked as a consultant to automate the court system in Salt Lake City. He later was involved in numerous ventures including insurance, investments, brokerage and syndications, laser development, real estate, and finally a tax consultant for over 20 years. Ray was proud to be a member of the Catholic Church, ACTS Community: Adoration Community Theology Service and A Third Degree member of Knights of Columbus. Ray was a caring and generous man, his doors and wallet were always open to any and all causes. These last days of his life have been a testament to his character and a mark of his legacy. Thank you all for the hundreds of phone calls, endless amounts of food, countless house calls, hospital visits, face book posts and for the love and kindness that have been extended to Ray this week and throughout his life. Ray is survived by Donna his wife of 66 years and four children: Kathleen (Mrs. William Schwartz) Santa Clarita, Ca; Michelle (Mrs. Patrick Gose) Las Cruces NM, Brian Zitur Flower Mound, Tx and LaDawn Zitur Mission Viejo, Ca. He is also survived by nine Grand Children and Three Great Grand Children. Ray is predeceased by three sisters: Rosemary (Mrs. Ed Winkleman) Osseo Mn. Eileen, (Mrs. Walter Robinson) St Cloud Mn, Shirley, (Mrs. Frank Barnard) Battlecreek Michigan. He is survived by two brothers and two sisters: Jerome Zitur Billings, Montana; David Zitur Waverly, Mn., Carole (Mrs. Willie Justin) St Cloud Mn. and Jane (Mrs. Ben Hawkins) Oro Valley, AZ Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 from 5:00PM to 9:00PM, with a Vigil Service at 7:00PM at Sunset Funeral Home-West. Rite of the Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 9:30AM at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1551 Belvidere. Interment will follow at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Pall Bearers will be grandchildren, Rusty Schwartz, Dugger Schwartz, Stacey Franco, Ryan Gose, Nathan Zitur, Jake Zitur. Honorary pall bearers will be Grandchild Alyssa Gose, Great Grand children Madison Schwartz, Megan Franco, Katie Franco. Donations to Hospice in Lieu of flowers: CIMA HOSPICE 6090 Surety Drive, Suite 102 El Paso Tx. 79905. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West. Please sign our online register book at www.sunsetfunealhomes.net