Richard Dain Zajic

Richard Dain Zajic, 39, Paola, passed away Saturday, April 15, 2017, unexpectedly at his home due to heart related issues. He was born Aug. 21, 1977 in Iola, the son of Mary Lacy of Iola and Dick Zajic of Springdale, Arkansas. Rick moved to Iola from Augusta as a youth with his mother and stepfather, LC Lacy. He graduated from Iola High School in 1996 and went on to Allen County Community College where he played soccer and golf. He later attended Johnson County Community College. Rick was currently a sales representative for CJR Distribution of Olathe. Rick met the love of his life, Suzanne Marie Peckman, of Paola, in 1997. They married on Sept. 17, 2005 and had a son, Carter Dain Zajic, on Oct. 18, 2011. In 2014, Rick, Suzanne and Carter moved back to the family farm in Paola. He spent his free time working with the family livestock and was lovingly referred to as the "cattle whisperer." His love of the outdoors sparked his interest in sustainable farming with dreams of expanding the family farm in the future. He possessed an amazing ability to grow anything and was always planting something around the family yard. He was an avid sports player with a great golf swing and volunteered as a coach for his son's soccer team. Music was also a passion of Rick's and he spent countless hours listening to the records from his collection. Rick is preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim and Betty Yates, Lloyd Zajic, Don Strong and sister, Angela Renee Zajic. Survivors include his wife Suzanne, son, Carter, of the family home in Paola; mother, Mary Lacy and her husband, LC Lacy, of Iola; father, Dick Zajic of Springdale, Arkansas; sister, Lisa Smith and her husband Troy, of Iola; stepbrother, Doug Lacy of Dallas, Texas; grandmothers, Anita Zajic of Rogers, Arkansas, and Louella Strong of Mountain Home, Arkansas; parents-in-law, Lloyd and Virginia Peckman of Paola; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Sherri and Chris Webb of Olathe, Pamela and Kyle Minden of Paola, Jennifer and Randy Rethman of Emporia, Jon and Nicole Peckman of Overland Park; 14 nieces and nephews; and one great-nephew. A Celebration of Life service was held at the Allen County Country Club with golf following. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the college fund of Carter Dain Zajic, in care of Mary and LC Lacy, 610 N. Washington Ave., Iola KS 66749.