Jerry Dan Zant

Jerry Dan Zant, age 58, passed through the veil to return home into the loving embrace of Heavenly Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and his daughter, Amber, on Thursday, December 18, 2014.  He and his wife, Heidi Zant, have spent the past several months together at home, where he spent time fighting an aggressive form of brain cancer before passing, peacefully surrounded by his two boys and their spouses.Jerry was born on May 12, 1956 in Odessa, Ector County, Texas to Josiah “Joe” Clifton Zant and Juanita “Nita” Gholson Zant.  As a native West Texan, and a graduate of Permian High School, he spent his life giving back to the communities that molded him into a man.Jerry was blessed with many Christ-like attributes, particularly compassion and love.  While he has had opportunities to serve the masses in his professional career and in service positions within his church callings, he thrived in reaching out to the “one.”  He had a unique ability to connect on an individual and personal level with so many, and he never abated an opportunity to serve.  Jerry had the energy, and oft times jovial personality, of a child—always seeking to help and uplift those around him.During his first year of college Jerry felt the influence of the Spirit guide him to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to learn more about our Savior and His gospel.  The influence quickly changed his life for the better, and his desire to serve as a full-time missionary for the church grew.  He subsequently was called to spread the gospel abroad in the Nagoya, Japan Mission, where he served as a representative of Jesus Christ for two years.  For the rest of his life, Jerry accepted his role as a disciple of Christ and never declined an opportunity to share his testimony, especially in Japanese.Jerry also had a love of music, known by many.  While he spent considerable time throughout his life learning the piano, his true passion was to practice and showcase his talents on the ukulele.  He was no stranger to church youth and primary sing-alongs, or the occasional Rosa’s Cafe parking lot jam session.  His music and his concerts will be greatly missed.Jerry had a passion for reading and learning.  He was not only a student of the gospel and the scriptures, but also a student of the law.  After returning from his two-year service in Japan, Jerry attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and earned his Bachelors degree in Finance.  Following his undergraduate studies, Jerry came home to West Texas to attend Texas Tech University’s School of Law.  Jerry has been a long-standing member of the State Bar of Texas, and a proud shareholder of Cotton, Bledsoe, Tighe & Dawson, P.C.  Just as he influenced many with the gospel, he loved his time helping and serving West Texas as a Board Certified Estate Planning and Probate attorney.Jerry will truly be missed by all.  He is preceded by his daughter, Amber, and father, Joe, and survived by his wife, Heidi; mother, Nita Zant; brother and sisters, Clif Zant, Cathy Hoggard, and Laura Zant; sons, Michael (wife, Megan) and David (wife, Catherine); grandson, Layne; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, co-workers and loved ones.Jerry and his family have been truly blessed since his diagnosis with brain cancer this past summer.  The prayers and thoughts shared by many have never gone unnoticed.  We express our gratitude and thanks for the unmatched generosity and kindness poured out on our family.  We pray that the windows of heaven open and pour out blessings on each of you for the service for which we could never show enough gratitude or love.A community visitation will be held at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home this Sunday, December 21, from 6:00-8:00 PM.  We invite all to come to the visitation and to the funeral services at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4805 Gateway St Midland TX 79707) on Monday, December 22, at 1:00 PM.  All are invited to the dedication of Jerry’s grave at Resthaven Memorial Park, immediately following.All are encouraged to make donations or memorial gifts in lieu of flowers, directed to either the Amber Zant Bice Memorial Volleyball Scholarship at UTPB, 4901 E. University Ave., Odessa, Texas 79762, or to Hospice of Midland.,