Manuel (Sonny) Zapata

Manuel "Sonny" Zapata, 64, of Casa Grande died on Dec. 5, 2013, at home.

The memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel, with Maj. Candi Frizzell officiating.

Mr. Zapata was born on Nov. 27, 1949, in Florence. He grew up on a ranch near Red Rock and was a true cowboy. He was a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War.

An aircraft mechanic, he owned Sunshine Aviation in Casa Grande for 30 years. His passion was planes and repairing them, and he loved his family and was devoted to them. He also loved motorcycles, camping and astronomy.

Survivors include his wife, Jan; three daughters, Aleighsha Meier and Sundina Olsen of Chandler and Amelia Zapata of Casa Grande; five sisters, Annie Gomez of Phoenix, Maria Hernandez of Casa Grande, Margie Garcia and Nellie Aviles of Florence and Connie Hernandez of Tucson; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel E. and Magdelena Zapata; four brothers, Robert, George, Chris and Joe Zapata, and six sisters, Anita Brogdon, Della Kakar, Zerrelda Lane, Rosie Cooley, Toni Garcia and Isabel Lopez.