Pedro Zalba

Obituary

Obituary for Pedro Mari Zalba

Pedro Mari “Pete” Zalba was born on December 8th , 1931, in Bizkarreta, Navarra, Spain. He was the embodiment of the American dream. He arrived in California in 1951 at the age of 19 to work as a sheepherder and went on to build a very successful sheep business, Zalba & Azparren Sheep Co., with his first cousin Joaquin Azparren. In 1965, he married the love of his life, Ascension, and they settled in Wasco, California, where they raised their four children. Pedro had a great zest for life,… a big heart, and an incredible work ethic. At the age of eight he was solely responsible for his first flock of sheep, and with this commenced his life-long love for sheepherding. Indeed, Pedro’s work ethic and dedication to his profession were surpassed only by his passion and love for his family, and when he retired at age 76 he dedicated himself to helping his daughters raise his grandchildren. Pedro was an honorary Life Member of the Kern County Basque Club and the Kern County Woolgrowers, and he delighted in returning to the Pyrenees to visit his family and friends there. Pedro is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Ascension Zalba Murillo Echamendi, his four children Mariana (Scott) Glovsky, Julia (Thomas) Seltz, Pedro Zalba Jr., and Frank Zalba. Pedro doted on his grandchildren, Alyssa, Natalia, Xabi, and Matthew. They were the light of his life and he delighted in their accomplishments. He will now be their guardian angel in heaven. He is also survived by his brothers Carlos Zalba, Juan Zalba sisters Pilar Zalba and Corpus Zalba Lizaso of Spain. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in honor of Pedro Mari Zalba to the Kern County Basque Club Scholarship Fund, P.O.Box 416 Bakersfield, CA 93302 The Mass of the Resurrection will be officiated by Father Raul Sanchez at St. John’s Catholic Church on Thursday July 17, 2014 at 10am. A visitation will be held on Wednesday July 16, 2014 at 4pm with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7pm at Peters Funeral Home Chapel in Wasco, CA. Interment will follow at Wasco Memorial Park.