Alvoid “Al” M. Zuber was called to Heaven at the age of 94. He was a resident of Centralia Washington, for over 60 years and passed away peacefully on Aug. 3, 2021, at the Athena Home where he had undergone care the last four years.
Al was born May 1, 1927, in Woodburn, Oregon, to Alvy P. and Theresia (Koch) Zuber. He attended St. Benedict Grade School and went on to graduate from Woodburn High School where he was a standout football and baseball player. He was offered a professional baseball contract by Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers, but turned it down, as he was only a junior in high school.
He was a proud veteran, having joined the Navy immediately after high school. He roamed the South Pacific aboard the USS Princeton as an aviation machinist’s mate, working on the F-4U Corsair fighter plane shortly after the war. After his discharge from the Navy, Al attended Oregon State University for a year and played third base on the Beaver freshman team. Al continued to play and coach fastpitch on some of the best teams in Oregon. Through one of his teammates, he was introduced to Janet Lee Watts, who became his devoted wife of 49 years until her death in 2002.
In 1956, Al attended Ohio Linotype and Printing School in Logan, Ohio., which would imitate his chosen occupation as a printer, following in the footsteps of his father-in-law, Archie Watts, who owned and operated The Morton Journal. In 1959, Al and his young family settled in Centralia Washington, where he would work at Bank Check Supply Co. for 31 years until his retirement in 1990.
Al was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church with an unyielding faith in Christ. His passion for his family was something to behold. He was an incredible father, brother, husband and grandfather. He took great pleasure watching his son and grandchildren play football, baseball, basketball and fastpitch, as well as participate in FFA. He was a proud supporter of W.F. West Bearcat and Klahowya Eagle athletics. Al’s love of sports was evidenced in his long tenure as a coach and official. He coached in the Centralia Little League program, the Babe Ruth program and the Centralia American Legion Colonels. He was a long-standing member of the Southwest Washington Officials Association, umpiring and refereeing hundreds of high school games. He cherished the relationship he had developed with players and coaches over the years.
Al was also an avid fan of the Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks, Eastern Eagles and of course his beloved OSU Beavers. Once a year, he would load the family into the car and make the trek to Corvallis for a football game. Finally under familial pressure, he relented and rooted for the University of Washington Huskies. However, his true passions remained in the Willamette Valley.
Al was preceded in death by his folks, Alvy and Theresia Zuber; his wife, Janet; sisters, Caroline (Tuttle) and Arlene (Shepard). He is survived by his three sons, Tom (Donna) of Chehalis; Dan (Monica) of Poulsbo; and Eric (Tammy) of Winlock. His grandchildren include Zac Zuber (Mckayla), Callie McCallum (Tyler), Cameron Zuber (Tiffany), Wyatt Zuber (Matt), Tanner Zuber and Dylan Zuber, along with great-grandchildren Mackenzie and Cylas Zuber and Avery and George McCallum. He also has numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Centralia on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, at 11 a.m. A private family interment will take place at Mountain View Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, any donations can be made to St. Joseph’s School in Chehalis. The family would like to thank the Athena Home and Providence Hospice for the kindness and care Al received.
