Louis Ewart Zanders, in his 89th season, passed from this life on Monday, February 25, 2008 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. He was the son of Percy and Mittie Brown Zanders, born on September 2, 1918 in Okmulgee. Louis was the second of five surviving sons born from this union.

Louis married his high school sweetheart, his life-long companion, during her life and even after her death, Lucille Frazier, in 1940. Their love produced three children, Donald, Ronald and Wanda. Together, Louis and Lucille served their God, family, church and community in Okmulgee for 35 years until her death on July 2, 1975.

Louis received Christ as a child and attended church all of his life. During his formative years, he attended a Pentecostal Church and later, attended and became a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. He and his family have continued their membership there since that time. He served the Lord faithfully, through service at Macedonia including Church Treasurer and as Superintendent of the Sunday School.

Mr. Zanders was an outstanding husband to his wife and father to his children. As a husband, he loved his one and only wife all of his life. He proudly told his children upon the death of Lucille that no other woman would ever replace her in his life. He held to this love until his death. As a father, he served as an excellent role model for his children. He provided good spiritual leadership and by his personal character and integrity, he demonstrated how we should best live our lives in harmony with the laws of God and with the laws of humanity.

Louis proudly and honorably served our nation as a soldier in the United States Air Force during World War II from January 6, 1943 to December 29, 1945. He saw action while fighting in the south pacific theater. Mr. Zanders was an active member and officer of several local, state and national civic as well as social organizations; including the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Chamber of Commerce, NAACP and the Dunbar All-School Association.

Louis attended Okmulgee Public Schools, graduating from Historic Dunbar High School with the Class of 1938. He later attended Oklahoma State Tech and received an Associate Degree in Accounting. He used his knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping to serve as treasurer and bookkeeper for many of the civic organizations he held memberships in and his church.

After working various jobs in Okmulgee, he was employed by the United States Postal Service, serving as a mail carrier for nearly 30 years before his retirement in 1980. He felt this work was very important and he was very grateful for his opportunity to meet and to serve his community in this position.

He leaves in God's care; two sons, Donald Zanders, Dallas, Texas and Ronald Zanders, Flemington, New Jersey; a daughter, Wanda Young, Okmulgee, Oklahoma; his brother, Herman Zanders, Claremore, Oklahoma; two grandsons, Youghman Artra "Monte" Young and fiancee', Josephine and Yahtaka James "Toki" Young, all of Atlanta, Georgia; two great-granddaughters; one great-grandson; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The Tribute will be on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. in the Macedonia Baptist Church. Rev. Judson Fields, Pastor, will officiate. The Christian Committal will follow in the Okmulgee Cemetery.

You may visit Mr. Zanders, as he slumbers at the funeral home on Friday from 12 noon to 6 PM.