Arlan Roy Zahorka

Arlan Roy Zahorka, 73, passed away Monday, May 13th, 2024 at his home in Tucson, following a short battle with ALS. Arlan was born to Eldred and Nelda Zahorka in Wausau, WI on April 11th, 1951. Arlan grew up in Wisconsin and Minnesota, living on several different turkey farms. Arlan graduated from Hutchison High School in 1969 and then attended Dunwoody College. After graduating as a mechanical designer in 1971, his first job was with the Pearson’s Candy Company in Minnesota.

Arlan moved to Colorado in 1973. He met and married Amy Rasmussen in 1974. They lived in Thornton, Colorado for seven years where both of their two daughters Heidi and Heather were born. Then in 1981, Arlan accepted a job in Tucson, Arizona at IBM. In 1991 Arlan started job shopping, where he worked at different companies in various industries, including Freightliner and Boeing, throughout the United States. He was offered a full-time job at B.E. Aerospace in Tucson and worked there before he retired in 2017.

Arlan enjoyed visiting people and spending time with his immediate and extended family. He treasured fishing trips in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California with his daughter Heather and her family. After retiring, he continued his favorite hobby of buying and selling antiques. He had several booths at an antique mall in Tucson and became quite knowledgeable at acquiring and selling antiques. He was passionate about this hobby and enjoyed sharing the knowledge he gained and the relationships he fostered. He also shared this passion with his twin brother, Karlan.

Arlan made a personal commitment to God at age eleven. He had a deep faith and served God faithfully to the end. He will be missed by his family, his friends and those that knew him.

Arlan was preceded in death by his parents Eldred and Nelda Zahorka. Arlan is survived by his wife Amy Zahorka of Tucson, AZ; daughter’s Heidi (Ethan) Anderson of Mesa, AZ and Heather (Aaron) Myers of Temecula, CA. Brother’s Karlan (Joan) and Glen Zahorka; Sister Nancee Roper. Grandchildren: Oliver, Samantha and Logan Anderson; Madalyn, Cameron and Dylan Myers.

Thank You: The Zahorka family would like to thank you for the cards, flowers and kind expressions of sympathy shown following Arlan’s passing. Your support at this difficult time is very much appreciated and a great comfort to all the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the ALS Foundation - https://www.als.org/?campaign=487487

There will be a memorial service for Arlan in Tucson, AZ on June 14th at 2pm. It will be held at Hudgel’s Swan Funeral Home - 1335 S. Swan Road, Tucson AZ 85711.

You will also be able to access the memorial through zoom online or by phone. https://willmeng.zoom.us/j/82153390913 Meeting ID: 821 5339 0913 To call in by phone: 888 475 4499 US Toll-free 877 853 5257 US Toll-free