Paul “Zam” Zamarripa, Sr., 84, passed away July 20, 2026, at Leisure Homestead Association, Stafford, Kansas. He was born on February 20, 1942, in Hartshorne, Oklahoma, to Catarino and Felipa (Briones) Zamarripa.
A lifetime Great Bend resident, Paul Sr. was the owner and operator of Zam’s Heating and Cooling. Before starting his business, Paul Sr. served the country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the First Street Church of God in Hoisington. Paul Sr. played in a band when he was younger, enjoyed working on old cars, drawing and taking pictures, going out of his way to help his customers, and laughing and talking with his friends and family. He never knew a stranger.
Survivors include two sons, Paul Zamarripa Jr. (Nikki) of Great Bend and David Zamarripa of Lanai, Hawaii; his sons’ mother, Rose Martinez of Garden City; five grandchildren, Christopher Zamarripa (Ashley), Kirsten Zamarripa, and Austin Zamarripa (Brandi), all of Great Bend, and Allura Zamarripa and Mirabella Zamarripa, both of Charleston, South Carolina; three great grandchildren, Zoii Zamarripa, Zander Zamarripa, and Otto Zamarripa; brother, Steven Zamarripa; eight sisters, Carmen Skelly, Rose Sands (Lonnie), Mary Ingram, Josie Morrison (Dennis), Isabel Earegood (Don), Angie Ingram, Rebecca Morrison, and Vivian Bahr; numerous nieces and nephews; and former wife, Gina Zamarripa of Great Bend.
He is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, “Big Rich” Zamarripa, Peter Zamarripa, Frank Zamarripa, and Richard Joel Zamarripa; and sister, Ramona Zamarripa.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Bryant Funeral Home with Pastor Dennis Morrison, Jr. presiding. Inurnment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery with military honors presented by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Memorials have been designated to Paul Zamarripa Sr. Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.