DUNCAN, Okla. — Judy Kay Zamarripa, 73, of Duncan, Okla., passed away after an 8-year battle with lung cancer on Sept. 23, 2021, surrounded by her family. She was born June 28, 1948, in Scottsbluff, Neb. to Albert and Marcena (Labbe) Nagel.

Judy married Steven Zamarripa on Sept. 19, 1970, in Great Bend, Kan. To their union, they added three daughters, Karie, Kelly and Kacy. She graduated from Great Bend, Kan. in 1966 where she wowed sports fans being the school mascot. That will come as no surprise to anyone who knew her. She was the life of the party everywhere she went. She loved the yearly Zamarripa family reunions and was generally found right in the middle of things dancing around. She never shied away from hard work, first as a beautician, then opening her own cleaning service and, finally, working in the Central Office for Duncan Public Schools. Her most prized role was as Mom to her three girls and the best Gaga in the world to her grandkids.

Judy is survived by her husband of 51 years, Steven; children, Karie Jo and husband Charles W. Carpenter of Piedmont, Kelly Ann and husband Bryan Merritt of Chickasha, Kacy Lynn and husband James Popham of Duncan; grandchildren, Mackenzie and Kyle McKnight, Kendall Carpenter, Kaylen Merritt, Laney Merritt, Avery Popham, Emery Popham, Tyson Popham; sister, Susan and Lee Major; brothers, David Nagel and Gary Nagel; sisters-in-law, Carmen Skelly, Mary Ingram, Rose and Lonnie Sands, Josie and Dennis Morrison, Isabell and Don Eargood, Angie Ingram, Becky Morrison, Vivian Bahr; brother-in-law, Paul and Gina Zamarripa; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Marcena Nagel; brothers, Roy and Don Nagel; sister, Mary Ann Nagel; and mother- and father-in-law, Catarino and Felipa Zamarripa.

Memorial service will be held Oct. 16, 2021, at 10 a.m. at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, Kan. Inurnment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery in Great Bend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. A special thank you to Dr. Najera and the staff of the Duncan Cancer Center for their continued care and compassion throughout her cancer battle. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 10, 2021