DR. JAMES M. ZEALY
Dec. 25, 1919-Jan. 14, 2016
Dr. James M. Zealy, 96, passed away Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
Dr. Zealy practiced dentistry in Wayne County for 45 years. During that time, he made significant contributions to the health and lives of those in the community.
Dr. Zealy was born in Wayne County Dec. 25, 1919, to the late Dr. Albert Hazel Zealy and Bertha Baird Zealy. He was married to the late Nannie Piper Zealy and Martha Brooks Zealy.
Dr. Zealy received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his dental training at the Dental School of the University of Louisville.
Among his honors were the Citizenship Award of the North Carolina Dental Society, and in 1992, the Distinguished Service Scroll from the North Carolina Dental Society.
Perhaps his most notable contribution was a successful push to have Goldsboro include fluoridation in the community water supply.
He later obtained a dental operatory for Wayne Memorial Hospital while serving as the hospital's chief of dental staff. Dr. Zealy served as president of the Wayne County Dental Society and twice as president of the Fifth District Dental Society.
In other activities, Dr. Zealy served as board member of the Wayne County Public Health Department, a member of the Committee for Product Re-evaluation at Wayne Memorial Hospital, chairman of the Wayne County Alumni Association for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, deacon and elder at First Presbyterian Church and a board member of the Wayne County Historical Association.
He served on Wayne Community College's Foundation board for six years, and continued to support its activities. For these contributions, he received the Wayne Community College President's Award for Distinguished Service.
Dr. Zealy served as president of the James E. and Mary Z. Bryan Foundation, which established the Bryan Foundation Endowment at Wayne Community College. This foundation provides at least 10 scholarships per year for students at the College. This money is given to high-achieving high school seniors, as well as dental, nursing and technology students.
A memorial service remembering Dr. Zealy will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, at First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Leigh Gillis officiating. Inurnment will be in the church columbarium.
The family will receive friends following the service in McChesney Hall at First Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Zealy is survived by his daughter, Carol Zealy Goss of Goldsboro, and his son, James McKee Zealy Jr. and wife, Carol Regan Zealy, of Lexington.
There are also five grandchildren, Tiffany Goss Rouse and husband, Robert, Charles Terry Goss and wife, Jennifer, David McKee Zealy and Derrick, Michael Regan Zealy and Jamie Carol Zealy Simpson and husband, Jeremy.
The great-grandchildren include Austin Charles Williams, Ryan Lee Rouse, Alexander James Rouse, Piper Delamar Goss and Avery Simpson.
In addition to his wife and parents, Dr. Zealy was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Zealy Bryan, Helen Zealy Jones and Martha Zealy Ulmar, and brothers, Dr. A.H. Zealy and Robert Zealy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1101 E. Ash St., Goldsboro, N.C., 27534, or Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 107 Handley Park Court, Goldsboro, N.C., 27534.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on January 17, 2016 11:13 AM