Mr. James S. Zapp, Sr., of Killeen, entered into Paradise on September 30, 2016. He was born on April 18, 1924 in Nashville, Tennessee, to the late Thomas and Ardine (Jordan) Burt.Mr. Zapp grew up in Nashville, and attended Immaculate Mother Academy, and later proudly served in the United States Navy from 1942-1945. During his service, he started playing baseball and his Navy team won championships in 1943 and 1944. Returning home, he played for numerous baseball teams at third base, left field, and right field. He started with the Baltimore Elite Giants (1945-1946), then followed with the Nashville Cubs (1946), Atlanta Black Crackers (1947), and the Birmingham Black Barons (1948, 1954). He moved to the semi-pros in 1949, playing for the Morocco Stars and Nashville Stars (1950). Mr. Zapp entered the newly integrated minor leagues in 1952 with the Mississippi-Ohio Valley League. While there he led the league in home runs and set a RBI league record with 136, a record that stood until the league came to an end. In later seasons he also played for Big Spring in the Longhorn League, where he set a team record with 32 home runs, and for Port Arthur in the Big State League. Mr. Zapp went on to become an athletic director with the U.S. Air Force's Civil Service Division in Big Spring. He retired in 1979. He continued his passion for baseball through coaching and also umpired for 20 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved first wife, Viola (Webb) Zapp; second wife, Ehrai "Muffy" (Acklen) Zapp; and brother, Richmond Zapp. He is survived by his cherished children, James S. Zapp, Jr., Richmond C. Zapp, Jenniffer Chaviest, and James Arnell and wife Arnetta ; precious grandchildren, Martice Chaviest, Jenniffer Zapp, Marilyn Zapp, James S. Zapp III, Jayda Zapp, and Theress Arnell; great-grandchildren, Fiona Hastings, Liam Hastings, and Nethanial Chaviest; sister, Mary Jennie Austin; cousins, Fred Zapp and Sue Zapp; and numerous other family and friends. Funeral Services will be held at Heritage Funeral Home on October 6, 2016 at 10AM. Burial will follow at the Nashville National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting Memorial Donations be made to Say Hey Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 1434, Menlo Park, CA 94026.Heritage Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.heritage-funeralhome.com.