EDWIN HARRY ZACKRISON SR

Edwin Harry Zackrison was born in Hindsdale, Illinois (just outside Chicago), on October 15, 1941, on his mother’s birthday, a unique experience in the family. 

Edwin grew up in Brookfield, another suburb of Chicago, for the first two years of his life, just blocks away from the Pacific Press Publishing Association building. His father worked in the printing trade. The family made the move to Glendale, California, following a job offer.  Shortly thereafter another move was made to what is today La Sierra University. This became Ed’s much beloved home turf: he attended La Sierra Elementary School, La Sierra Academy, and graduated with a B.A. from La Sierra College. 

From the time he was a child, Ed had one career in mind –– he wanted to be a Seventh-day Adventist minister, following in the footsteps of his older brother. As a boy, he often lined up chairs in the backyard, and preached to an imaginary audience. 

After graduation from college, he was employed by the Southern California Conference. Eventually he was the founding pastor of what is today the Camarillo, CA. Seventh-day Adventist church.  

Endowed with the gift of teaching, Ed received a call to Southern Missionary College in Tennessee. While there he obtained a Ph.D. in historical theology from Andrews University. He collected an impressive library of books dedicated to theology. A dedicated scholar, he developed much used and appreciated class syllabi, and became a published author for Seventh-day Adventist publications. 

He was also an accomplished musician, playing his clarinet in college orchestras and singing in various choirs and groups. 

After many years at Southern, he returned to La Sierra Academy, this time as the Bible teacher. Over the years he developed an interest in theater and was instrumental in setting up a program producing a yearly series of plays and dramas. He is still much remembered for these activities. 

College-level teaching beckoned again, however, and Ed moved to the theology department of La Sierra University where he specialized in pastoral theology. 

He leaves behind a significant number of former students, many of whom are employees of the Seventh-day Adventist church and others successful professionals. Over his lifetime he authored or co-authored a series of books on worship and devotional topics from a pastoral perspective.  

In retirement he lived first in Georgia, and then in Corona, CA, just a few miles from his much loved La Sierra. He enjoyed periodically driving by his childhood home on Knoefler Dr. 

Suffering from diabetes and heart problems, Ed was diagnosed with a spot of skin cancer. No one thought it was life-threatening, but after surgery and a series of radiation treatments, a single session of chemotherapy proved too much for his system, and his heart, kidneys and other organs simply shut down. 

Ed is survived by son Edwin Zackrison Jr, daughters Dr. Jill Genobaga and Zoey Zackrison, brother Dr. James Zackrison, and various grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Edwin’s son Mark preceded him in death due to accidental causes.

The memorial service is on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 3pm at The Corona Seventh Day Adventist Church 2550 Main Street, Corona, California.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Grimes-Akes Family Funeral Home, Corona, California.

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