Anthony M. Zatkovich's Obituary
Anthony M. ZatkovichMay 1, 1913 Â- April 19, 2004 Â"TonyÂ" quietly passed away in his sleep 12 days before his 91st birthday. Born in Concrete, WA, Tony and his family moved to Tacoma, where he attended Holy Cross Church and Elementary School in the North End. After a tour in the Air Force, he returned to Tacoma and went to work as a brick layer for the Tacoma Smelter. Tony joined the Tacoma Police Department as a Patrolman; working his way up the ranks to Detective, Homicide and Robbery. It was then Tony teamed up with Ted Strand and together they were credited with solving many high profile crimes during there 17 years as partners. Tony was interviewed and quoted by Anne Rule in her book, Â"The Stranger Beside Me, The Ted Bundy Story.Â"Instrumental in forming the Tacoma Police Union, Tony also served as the President. He served as the Director of Emergency Services (Civil Defense) for ten years and was elected to the Tacoma City Council. Tony was an avid golfer, hunter, and expert marksman, achieving the level of Â"MasterÂ", winning numerous state and national pistol championships. He owned, maintained and flew his own airplane. There wasnÂ't a machine, car, motor, or anything with moving parts that Tony couldnÂ't fix. In addition to the 40+ years of public service, Tony was a Â"Lifetime MemberÂ", (60 years) of the Tacoma Elks Lodge #174 and the National Rifle Association. Tony is survived by his brother Albert Zatkovich of Shelton, WA; son Dick Â"CoachÂ" Zatkovich and wife Sue of Tacoma; and son Gary Zatkovich and wife Margo of Santa Rosa, CA; grandchildren Mandy Zatkovich of Tacoma, Nicholas Zatkovich of Tacoma, Joelle Zatkovich Majors of Spanaway and Derek Zatkovich of La Honda, CA; great-grandchildren Jaden, McKenzie, and Ashley MajorsÂ...and his faithful cat Â"SmokeyÂ"Tony was preceded in death by his mother and father Joseph and Antonia Zatkovich, brother Milan, Joseph Jr., John, and wives Florence and Patricia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tacoma Pierce County Humane Society. Services will be held on Friday, April 23, 2004 at 2:00 PM in the Mt. View Valley Chapel.
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