Christopher Thomas Zdunich

St. George, UT - Christopher Thomas Zdunich died January 14, 2011, at his home in St. George, UT. He was born December 13, 1960, in Murray, UT, to Frank and Linda Zdunich.
Chris was raised in the Midvale/Sandy area of the Salt Lake Valley. He attended Hillcrest High School. Chris joined the United States Army in 1981 and in 1987 he was honorably discharged. On July 20, 1985, Chris married Leslie Jacobs. They were later divorced. During his military career, Chris served in the 82nd Airborne, as a Sergeant in the First Special Forces Group, and was in combat in Grenada.
Chris worked in many different roles throughout his life. After his army discharge, he worked in the restaurant industry in Salt Lake City. In 1992, he moved to Kelso, WA, and worked as a truck driver for his father. He then worked as a dispatcher for Puget Sound Truck Lines at the Longview Terminal. Later he was transferred to the Portland Terminal as a manager. Chris was also an honored reserve officer for the Kelso Police Department. He and Leslie had three children; boy and girl twins, and a son. In 2000, they moved to St. George and Chris again worked in the restaurant industry.
In 2005, Chris began sharing his life with Rockie Bennett. Together they traveled and worked in Manhattan, NY, Salt Lake City, UT, and Portland, OR. He was employed by Outback Steakhouse and was attending Dixie State College at the time of his death.
Chris embraced his passions wholeheartedly. He enjoyed hiking, biking, scuba diving, traveling, and cooking. His most recent passion was his motorcycles. Chris was never more at peace than when he was riding one of his bikes. He was an avid reader and would spend countless hours researching his personal interests. Nothing, however, compared to the love that he had for each of his children; daughter, Kendle, 16, and sons, Dane, 16, and Wyatt, 15. They were his world.
Chris is survived by his life partner, Rockie Bennett; her two children, Lacey (Chris) Celani, of Ivins, UT, and Quinn (Melanie) Bennett of Huntsville, AL; Rockie's three grandchildren, Asher, Aspyn and Stella; his three beautiful children, Kendle, Dane, and Wyatt of Ivins, UT; his parents, Frank and Linda Zdunich of Kelso, WA; brothers, Mark (Kyle) of Jamul, CA, Darren, of Kauai, HI, Kelly (Mica Anne) of Longview, WA, Micah, of Kelso, WA, and Nate (Tabby) of Vancouver, WA; sisters, Darcie, of Vancouver, WA, and Amy, of Longview, WA; and several nieces and nephews.
Chris' life and the peace that he now finds in his heart will be celebrated with a graveside service and a balloon release on Saturday, January 22, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at the Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 S. Dixie Drive, St. George, UT. Anyone wishing to participate in the balloon release may do so by writing a message to/for Chris and his loved ones at Outback Steakhouse in St. George, or by sending an email to czdunich@yahoo.com, or by bringing your message to the graveside service. Unless otherwise requested, messages will be shared with those attending the balloon release.
A funeral mass will be held in Longview, WA, on Friday, February 4, 2011, at St. Rose Catholic Church. Interment will take place at a later date at the Tonaquint Cemetery. ? Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on-line at www.serenicare.com. Arrangements are made under the direction of SereniCare Funeral Home, St. George, 986-2085.