Ronald Gene Zollars

 Ronald (Ron) G. Zollars of Gainesville, FL passed away on Wednesday September 22, 2021 at age 88.  He was born March 30, 1933 in Dearborn, MI.  His parents Eva (Schultz) Zollars and George W. Zollars and his sister Lynne (Zollars) Warner predeceased him.

       Ron attended Hillsdale College where he graduated with honors, was president of the A.T.O. fraternity and captain of the track team.  A J.D. degree from the University of Michigan Law School followed.  He began his career on Wall Steet in New York City followed by a 30 year career as an attorney, Office of the General Counsel, Ford Motor Company at World Headquarters in Dearborn, MI. There he served in multiple positions including six years with Ford Asia Pacific located in Melbourne, Australia.  While in New York he joined and served in the New York National Guard/US Army Reserve and achieved the rank of First Lieutenant.

       Ron had a wide range of interests.  The family lived on a farm for 20 years while the children grew up.  He cut and bailed hay, plowed the family garden, fed the livestock, rode the horses and raised Brittany Spaniel dogs (both bench and field champions), judging many field trials.  He was active in Brittany Club activities and served on the local township board.  He loved sports, especially golf and tennis.  He was a member of Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia and while in Florida he played tennis on a USTA Super Senior Team.  He also loved riding his BMW motorcycles.  After retiring, Ron took up wood working.  He specialized in rocking horses making three sizes – the largest almost pony size.  Some horses were donated to auctions benefiting University of Florida causes.

       In Gainesville Ron volunteered at the University of Florida on the Performing Arts Advisory Board of Directors and was Board President for two years.  He was a member of the UF Foundation Board, The Friends of Five (WUFT) and Friends of Music Boards and the UF President’s Council.  He and some othere tennis fans reinstated the Gator Men’s Tennis Booster Organization where he served as the first president for two years.

       Ron is survived by his wife Patricia (Drake) Zollars of 64 years, his son Craig D. Zollars (Bloomington, IN), Jennifer L. Zollars and her husband Philip K. Sieburg (Christchurch, New Zealand), grandchildren Eva E. Zollars and Logan J. Zollars.

       Memorials may be sent to The Village at Gainesville Foundation Associate Scholarship Fund, at their website or mailed to Foundation at 8000 NW 27^th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606.