Allan Zagray

Allan H. Zagray, loving and beloved husband of Roberta and a resident of Copeland Oaks Retirement Community in Sebring, Ohio, passed through the gateway that leads to resurrection life on April 29, 2013. Born in Toledo, Ohio on March 2, 1934, he was the oldest son of the Rev. Alfred and Lois (Hoover) Zagray. Allan graduated from Cleveland James Ford Rhodes High School and earned degrees from Otterbein University in Westerville, OH, Evangelical Theological Seminary in Naperville, IL and Methodist Theological Seminary in Delaware, OH. In 1955, Allan married Mardell J. Boyce and to their union was born three daughters, all of whom survive: Kristine (Thomas) Galitza on Baneberry, TN, Julie (Joseph) Walter of Charlotte, MI, and Laura (Mitch) Adkins of Hillard, OH. In 1977, he married Roberta G. (Pierson) Headley and lovingly incorporated four step-children into the family circle: John (Suzy) Headley of Memphis, TN, Kathryn Weiland of Jersey Shore, PA, James Headley of Delaware, OH, and Joseph (Nancy) Headley of Byron, IL. There are ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Besides his parents Allan was preceded in death his younger brother, Paul. As he sought to fulfill his personal mission “to serve Christ and expand the God movement”, Dr. Zagray served as pastoral leader of Evangelical United Brethren or United Methodist congregations in Pontiac, Illinois and East Cleveland (Trinity), North Canton (Grace), Manchester, Bucyrus (Woodlawn), New Concord and Coshocton, Ohio (Grace). He was Superintendent of the Akron District and Dean of the Bishop’s Cabinet. He served as Conference Secretary for the Ohio East (E.U.B.) Conference for six years and the East Ohio (United Methodist) Conference for eight years. He was elected as delegate to four General and five Jurisdictional Conferences. Following his retirement from pastoral ministry in 1996, Allan embarked on a consulting ministry which took him into more than 50 congregations in the East Ohio Conference in a variety of roles. He also led “Excellence in Ministry” seminars which enrolled more than 100 pastors. He served as a member of four Boards of Trustees: Otterbein University, Seminario de Gracia, The East Ohio Conference and the Lakeside Association and was elected President of the later three. He was the organizing advisor of the Coshocton Ohio Youth Foundation and was invited to draft the supporting script for six Coshocton Community Choir Christmas Concerts. As a resident of Copeland Oaks, Allan became manager of the Resident’s Thrift Shop which provides income for the employee’s Christmas Gift Fund, sang in the Copeland Chorale, served as Vice-President of the Resident’s Association and was resident representative on the Board of Directors. A Service of Death and Resurrection will be held in Bennett Chapel at Copeland Oaks at 3:00 PM on Sunday May 19, 2013. The family will receive friends and share remembrances at a reception immediately following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Copeland Care Fund through the Oaks Foundation, 800 S. 15th St., Sebring, OH 44672. Arrangements are by Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home. Friends may send condolences and sign the guest register online at www.grfuneralhome.com.

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