Thomas R. "Zook" Zucker
July 08, 2012
Thomas R. “Zook” Zucker, 61, passed away surrounded by his loving family on July 8, 2012, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born September 14, 1950, in Scribner, Nebraska, to Ray and Jeanette Zucker.
Tom had a passion for traveling and motorcycles. His love for motorcycles inspired him to open Zook’s Harley Davidson. His first store opened on February 20, 1981, in Columbia, Missouri, and signed with American Machine and Foundry (AMF). In 1984, the store moved to 2nd Avenue in Des Moines, and was one-fourth the size of their current service department. Zook’s relocated to East Euclid Avenue in 1986, and then to NE 14th Street in 1993. In 2004, the store moved to its current location, back on 2nd Avenue. It is ten times the size of the original store, and sells 20 times the number of motorcycles. It is the largest new vehicle dealer between Chicago and Denver.
Tom retired in 2007. Even through his illness, he stayed positive, was never defeated, and always had a welcome smile for anyone. He will be remembered for his blunt honesty, witty sense of humor, and kind advice.
Those left to cherish Tom’s memory are his daughter, Carolyn (fiancé, Travis Cullen) Zucker; father, Ray Zucker; brother, Rob Zucker; long time companion, Ginny Swift; best friend and caretaker, Larry Perisho; and many other loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jeanette; and daughter, Katie.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, July 13, 2012, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. A visitation will be held Thursday evening from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society in loving memory of Tom.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Karen Dyer
08/11/2012
Carolyn, I was so sorry and saddened to read about your dad's illness and death. I remember him as being a very supportive parent of you and Katie when you went to SE School. He is the only parent I know of who brought his motorcycle into our building. All of our students thought that was THE BEST! My thoughts and prayers are with you as your mourn the death of your father. God Bless!
Your second grade teacher
Hope Ministries
07/16/2012
The staff at Hope Ministries would like to express our condolences to Tom's family. Tom supported Hope Ministries very generously and we appreciated his compassion towards the homeless and hurting in our community. He made a difference in their lives.
We are thinking of you during this difficult time.
Mary Kohlsdorf, on behalf of Hope Ministries
Terry & Karen Whipple
07/13/2012
Carolyn, we are so sorry for the loss of your dad. He was an AMAZING man. He and Katie will enjoy their rides in heaven. He will be missed by all.
Steve Steil
07/12/2012
So sorry for your loss. Zook was a high school friend from Scribner, a really great guy & fun to be around! May he live in your hearts through wonderful memories. He'll be greatly missed.
Super Dave Ables
07/12/2012
Tom was my First and by far my best mentor in the motorcycle business. He was a great man, someone I will always remember. My thoughts and prayers are with his daughters and his extended family. He will not be forgotten. Super Dave
Marty Hingst
07/12/2012
I was a high school buddy of Zooks. Our lives took us to different adventures, but when we met as the years went by, he was still a friend.
Our thoughts to the family.
Alan Rodenborn
07/12/2012
Please accept our condolences, from the Iowa Motorcycle Dealer's Assocation. Tom greatly supported our group, having been a long time member of our board of directors, as well as a past President. Tom was very insightful. His ideas were the basis, of some of our most successful programs. Tom will be greatly missed by not only the IMDA, but by all who were lucky enough to have known him.
Tom "fasthair" Scott
07/11/2012
Dear Zucker Family,
I'm sadden to hear of the lost of your son, brother, father, husband and friend. It was always nice to walk in to Zooks and be greeted with a friendly smile and welcome hand shake. Tom always treated me with nothing but respect and seemed genuinely happy to see me when I walked in to his store. He was giving to me and my friends and always helped us do what we loved to do, go Harley drag racing. We proudly displayed the Zook banner on the side of our race trailer! To this day that was the most fun Ive had in my life and Tom made that possible. Thank you Zook.
Love and God Bless,
Tom Scott
mark mcgrew
07/11/2012
a very sad day for sure. i met Tom when i 1st worked for him when he moved the shop to Des Moines. the guy knew everything there was to know about everything. he absorbed so much knowledge along the way. he had a great sense of humor, and took advantage of living life to its fullest. Man, the world lost a "spiffy" (that was one of his words) individual .. a very sad day indeed. I'll miss you.
Sharon Zucker-Brause
07/10/2012
I met my second cousin Tom when he accompanied his parents to Ohio for a visit to the extended Zucker clan. Tom and I were both teenagers that summer. He was quite the character as a gangly 14 year old. I was not at all surprised to find out he became a Harley rider and dealer. I am sad at his passing, and I also am satisfied that he did what he evidently loved to do in this life. May he and his daughter have many good rides together in heaven.
Dorothy Zucker Brause
07/10/2012
The Brause family from Sulphur Springs, Ohio express their sympathy for the loss of Tom.
Dorothy Zucker Brause and family
Rod McKelvey
07/10/2012
Carolyn and Ginny, I am sorry for your loss. Tom gave me my start in the Des Moines area, hiring me out of college with little back ground in the industry. He pushed me, but gave me space and freedom to make my own choices. He was always there to reel me in with that quirky attitude. Today when faced with difficult situations I ask myself "what would Zook do?" That, to me says alot about a mans character. Tom will remain in my heart forever. RIP
Ron "Swede" Heyen
07/10/2012
Carolyn,
I am very sorry for your loss. Tom and I were friends for 35 years. I will miss his wit and humor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ron Heyen &
Cate Anderson
Pam Newman
07/10/2012
Carolyn, May you be strong in time of great loss of your father. I am sending my thoughts and prayers your way. Katie and your father can now ride into that FOREVER sunset together in peace.
Tracy Oliver
07/09/2012
Very sorry for your family's loss. I hope your grief eases for you soon.