Master Sergeant, John Paul Zook, US Army Retired

MSgt John Paul Zook, 91, of Oxford passed away Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Oxford Health and Rehab.

Born in Wayne County, IN on October 13, 1933, he was the son of the late Clarence Paul Zook and Retha Cochran.

MSgt Zook entered military service in the US Army in October 1950 at the age of 17.  He completed Basic Training at Fort Polk, LA. During his 25 years of military service, he served 16 months in the Korean War, two tours in the Vietnam War, along with serving 7 different stateside assignments.  During his lengthy military career in the US Army, he received numerous awards to include the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal with palm leaf, the WWII Occupation Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Expert Marksman Badge, two Presidential Unit Citations, and the Combat Infantry Badge.

Upon retirement from the US Army in July of 1975, MSgt Zook moved to Oxford, NC to become an ROTC Instructor for J. F. Webb High School. He was later employed at Certainteed Corporation, the Sharon Harris Nuclear Plant, and lastly at the Oxford Police Department where he served as both a School Crossing Guard and as a P Cat Officer.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Sossamon Funeral Home Chapel of Oxford. Reverend Frank Sossamon will officiate. Burial will follow at Meadowview Memorial Park in Oxford with full military honors.

Survivors include two sons, Ricky Zook (Terry) and Jeffery Zook; one grandson, Christopher Zook (Stephanie); six great grandchildren, Sabrina Parker, Nicholas Parker, Brianna Zook, Aliandra Zook, Allen Zook Jr., John Paul Zook II; two half-brothers, Bill Hicks and Bobby Lewis and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-nine years, Barbara Grubbs Zook; one granddaughter, Lorrie Zook; Barbara Grubbs Zook; one sister, Wanda Harmon; one half-sister, Kathy Davidson and one brother, Edward Zook.

The family will receive friends Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Sossamon Funeral Home of Oxford.

Arrangements are by Sossamon Funeral Home of Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.sossamonfuneralhome.com.