Captain Carl J. Zahner USNR-R
Captain Carl J. Zahner USNR-R, age 72, of League City, Texas, died at home on Saturday, July 18th. Carl was born in Rockville Centre New York. He received a bachelor’s degree in military science, psychology, and philosophy from Marquette University, was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy, and married Sharon Voelker during one wonderful weekend in 1970 before reporting for duty the following Monday.
As a child he lived in New York, California, and England. He and his family followed his father, a pilot for Pan American. After leaving home, Carl moved to Milwaukee for school and to join the Navy ROTC program at Marquette University. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Impervious MSO 449 stationed in Hawaii and Guam and was deployed during the Vietnam War. While he was in Guam he also earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology.
When Carl retired from active service he remained in the Naval Reserve. In the Reserve he served at numerous stations around the world, including England, Germany, and Italy. Moreover, he was also active in the Returning Warriors program to assist Navy and Marine personnel after they came home from active duty to re-enter civilian life.
Carl and Sharon moved to Gainesville, Florida where he continued his education, receiving a PhD from the University of Florida in 1977. The family then moved to Miami Florida so that Carl could teach at Barry University for two years. They returned to the University of Florida and both Sharon and Carl obtained law degrees, graduating in 1982. After 3 years in Jacksonville, FL working as a law clerk and attorney, Carl spent the rest of his career working for the State of Florida. First in the Attorney General’s Office, then the Department of Education, as the Director of the Correctional Education School Authority, and finally the Director of Professionalism at The Florida Bar. He retired from the Navy in 2000 as a Captain and from the State of Florida in 2012 to tend his garden, paint and brew beer.
Carl is survived by his wife Sharon, three sons Peter (Shea), Christopher (Michelle), and Carl John; five brothers Richard, Joseph, Thomas, Paul, and Matthew; five sisters Carol, M’Lue, Johanna, Marie, and Erika and five granddaughters Sadie, Katelyn, Molly, Grace, and Charlotte. He is preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Elizabeth who died in infancy and a brother John Bosco.
He was a devoted son, brother, father, grandfather, and friend who showed love and grace to all who knew him.
A Memorial service will be 12:00 p.m. Saturday, July 25 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 4665 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32309 with Father Michael Foley officiating. For those unable to attend in person, an online live-stream of the service will be available at https://goodshepherdparish.org/.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Open Door Women’s Clinic of Tallahassee, Florida. https://www.donateodwc.com/
Dear Chris,
My condolences to you and your family and I am very sorry sorry for your lose. I know how it feels to loose a loved one like a “father”, as I recently lost my father too last month.
My prayers to you and your respectful family.
Sorry to hear of you father’s passing.
May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hear and mind through Christ Jesus.
Fair wind and following seas, Captain. We had some good visits during and around Sharon’s Class reunions over the years.
To Sharon and family my deepest sympathy and condolences. He will be missed. Take care of each other in your time of grief.
Chuck aka Charlie Giger
Carl was the fourth of twelve children in our family. I was the third so we grew up together. He was smart, thoughtful and confident. Reading over his obituary made me realize just how much he had done to serve his country and community. I am saddened by his sudden passing. I send my condolences to Sharon, Peter, Christopher, CJ and all his grandkids. I also send condolences to my siblings who are in shock at Carl’s passing.
Sharon, my thoughts are with you and your family. His was a life well lived but I’m so sorry that it was cut short.
I send this message with lots of love. In addition to the wonderful things already said about him, Uncle Carl was also a beloved uncle. Although it was not very often that I would get to see him, my memories are very fond and filled with his willingness to always engage with his nephews and nieces, even when we were young. I remember
his warm and welcoming face. To my Aunt Sharon and my cousins – lots of love and hugs to you all. I am saddened the world has lost such a wonderful man, so suddenly and too soon.
We were so sorry to hear about Carl, Sharon.We heard about it at 8 am Mass on Sunday. We remember seeing you and your sons at that Mass as well.
May God be with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Dick and Mary Lou Corriveau
I am sorry to hear of Carl’s death and pray blessings on all of the Zahner family as you grieve and remember his life with gratitude. So many of you I remember as a child and teen when family celebrations included the Foehn family, too. Peace to all
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
We had wonderful memories of Carl. When the kids went to Trinity Catholic school in Tallahassee. We will always remember him. I am Juan A. Vasquez aunt Blanca.
Dear Sharon and Family,
We are saddened to hear of Carl’s passing and the heart ache this is for all of you.
We met you several times over the years while visiting our dad, Michael Kenney. Dad always loved the Marquette and Milwaukee connection that he shared with Carl. It’s clear that Carl lived a life of excellence, faith, leadership and service — he truly embodied these values learned while at Marquette.
We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Sharon, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God give you all comfort and peace. Jan Brokaw ( Hammitt)
Sharon, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God give you all comfort and peace. Jan Brokaw ( Hammitt)
Chris, Michelle, Sharon and family :
My thoughts , prayers, and love will be with you in the coming weeks as you adjust to life without Carl . He was a wonderful, gentle man whom I always enjoyed talking with when we were together . Take care of each other at this sad time but also take time to remember the fun and wonderful times you had together! 😘❤️
May peace and hope surround the whole Zahner family. I am with you, live streaming the Good Shepherd Funeral Mass. I hope you can feel the love and support of your Tallahasee family pouring out to you. Blessings. Love, Linda Davey
Father Foley’s eulogy was informative, personal & heartwarming. We could tell that he really knew Carl. The photo in the gallery that stood out the most for us is the one of Aunt Lu & the first six of you. Carl we feel, looks like hs mother, but more importantly reflected her caring for others, her helping hand & ready smile. We were lucky to see him at family gatherings over the years & will truly miss him.
With sympathy and grand memories of the Zahners in Frimley Green, England.
I can only add to what my brother Michael has already said, any visit to the Zahners’ enormous family was a treat beyond compare, so many lovely people all in one place. Condolences to all.
Just learning of Carl’s passing. From what I am reading of Carl’s life, I’m certain that the doors of heaven were opened wide for a good and faithful servant. May he Rest In Peace. May you and your family celebrate his life and know he continues to love and care for all of you.
Many prayers,
Andrea Battern (Prayer Shawl Ministry)
Dearest Sharon,
Just today, with with great sorrow, we learned of Carl‘s passing.
We are truly at a loss for words that are adequate enough to provide you and your family comfort. But, we know that our Lord and God, who loves you, knows your every need, and to Him we pray now and trust that He be your portion at this time, and will meet your needs. May the Comforter provide you comfort.
Carl was a dear, true friend, a true patriot, and memories of our time spent together are such happy ones. We treasure these memories.
May God provide you strength and peace during this difficult time.
With much love and hugs,
Rob and Delia Hampe
Sharon – something maybe just look up Carl’s name after all these years, and I was so saddened to see his recent passing. I have to tell you that he was an inspiration to me in law school. We all started together and I recall his being a strong, caring and mature voice. I was one of the “kids“ in the class and he was the big brother. We actually spoke often during law school and I truly admired his approach to life, learning and law. Now that I see even more in his obituary, how he lived his life, it only increases my admiration and respect. I remember you guys as a role for a family that worked hard, studied hard, but had a great outlook and ease. I’m sure it wasn’t easy with the kids being born during law school, but I always had a real admiration for Carl and you. My best to you and my condolences. I’m sure he will rest in peace.
Scott Silver
I am late posting this, but I just learned the news from the Florida Bar News. I attended law school with Carl, where he was one-half of the dynamic duo of Zahners, with his wife Sharon. I have fond memories of the “Double-Z’s” from our days at UF, and I am saddened to learn of the passing of Carl. I hope that his family has found peace in his passing, as they surely found joy in his life.
I was pleased to know him, during our time together.
I only recently learned of Dr. Zahner’s passing. He was my Group Dynamics instructor and academic advisor at Barry University. Being a fellow veteran, we had some great chats, especially since both of us were stationed on Guam. He was a great instructor and mentor and I’m very saddened to hear of his passing. My very deepest condolences to his family. Fair winds and following seas, Captain Zahner. It was an honor knowing you.
Dear Sharon and Family
Kay and I extend our deepest sympathy and prayers to you. We just learned of Carl’s passing from the MU Alumni Magazine.
Carl was a great guy. We have many fond memories of you each time we crossed paths starting at MU. Although, Carl was deployed, you shared your house when Kay was in Guam. We enjoyed that visit.
It was great to share visits with you and Carl in Miami and Gainesville as well.
Thanks to the both of you for touching our lives.
Sincerely
Bob and Kay Ford
I sat in the same class as Carl throughout his school years at Salesian College Farnborough. It must have been for 8/9 years from the age 9-17 years old or something like that. We were obviously the same age and I remember him very well indeed.
I confess that when it came to choosing the Head Boy of the School in the sixth form towards the end of our school years I was jealous of him being chosen as I had expected to be me. It was much later that I realised why.
Carl always had far more empathy and care for people than I did.
I am truly sorry for your loss.
Connol