Hector Alex Zaragoza

Hector Alex Zaragoza, 71, of Tolleson, Arizona, passed away on January 17, 2021 from Covid-19 complications.  He was born to Ernestina and Cipriano Zaragoza on February 26, 1949 in Phoenix, AZ. He is predeceased by his little sister, Cynthia Zaragoza who passed in 1960, his father in 1989 and his mother in 2018. 

Hector is survived by his children, Rita and Carlos; their mother, Anna Zaragoza; his siblings, Steve, Gloria, Irene, Michael and their children and grandchildren; and his fiancée, Bonnie Collins and her children and grandchildren. Tragically, his brother Steve passed away only days after Hector.

As a boy, Hector was part of his hometown Tolleson baseball team which went on to win the 1961 Arizona Little League State Championship and was a star player on his Tolleson High School basketball team. Shortly after high school he was drafted to the U.S. Marine Corps and served from 1968-1970, attained rank of Lance Corporal and received a Vietnam Service Medal and Combat Action Ribbon. After his honorable discharge, Hector attended Northern Arizona University, earned an Art History degree, fell in love, and began a thirty year marriage with Anna. He later returned to school for a Master’s degree in ESL/Bilingual Education.

A majority of his career was spent as a Ceramics and ESL teacher at Carl Hayden High School. “Mr. Z” was the teacher students could trust to really listen and help with the big stuff, he would guide students through difficult parent conversations, and would make sure there was always good music and food in his classroom.

Hector was often a man of few words however there was a deep well of knowing in his eyes. He was an artist to the core with a mastery of portrait drawing, acrylic and oil paintings, watercolor, and ceramics.

At times he had a gruff exterior and mild cynicism, especially when it came to the Cardinals’ ability to win if he watched the game or other people’s driving, however his kindness and caring for others in his world was wildly apparent and expressed through his good deeds. He was always there for family, friends, and neighbors in need, and would be the first to help with a move or unexpected house or car repairs, always making sure to take care of his loved ones. He was often described as a good and kind man, a gentleman, and someone who never said an offensive thing to anyone.

Hector loved nature, “prospecting” in the Superstition Mountains, family boating and camping trips, hunting with his brothers, traveling to New Mexico for chilies and attending annual Veteran’s Day Parades with his children. He had a passion for collecting unique rocks; a passion passed down from his mother and now on to his children.

Those who knew and loved him will miss the joyful twinkle in his eye and general amusement at life. We will remember him especially when we are lucky enough to find ourselves enjoying one of his favorite things - the smell of a Creosote bush after a desert rain.

A celebration of life will be held after it is safe for all of his loved ones to gather due to the dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone interested in attending can email celebratinghector@gmail.com for additional details.