of Jacksonville, AR

August 21, 1954 - December 21, 2017

Daniel James Zeff, 63 years, 4 months, born August 21, 1954 in Buffalo, New York and died December 21, 2017 in Jacksonville, Arkansas.
Daniel was born in Buffalo, New York to Victor Zeff and Alice (Duewiger) Zeff. He had one older brother Thomas. Dan attended Elementary, Junior High and Senior High in the Buffalo city school system. Before graduating from Riverside High School Dan enjoyed Softball, Track and Swimming. Dan was a life-long Buffalo Sabres hockey fan.

As a child Dan always said he wanted to be a Fireman when he grew up. Dan saw that dream come true when in 1974 he joined the Army and served as a Fireman for many years. He was also a Fireman as a civilian in Oregon and Washington.

Dan had an almost 30 year long military career which included time in the Air Force, Army and Army Reserves. He served our country in Vietnam and in Desert Storm. Dan finished the last few years of his military career as an Instructor for the Army Reserves with the Chemical Engineer Battalion. Dan also worked many years in the Civil Service as a Staff Administrator for the Chemical Engineer Battalion.

Dan had two children born to his marriage with Vickie - one daughter, April Ann and one son, Andy James. Dan also had one daughter in his second marriage with Laura - Audra Nichole.

While nearing the end of his military service, Dan met and married Karen Garrett. After having found and lost loves before meeting, both Dan and Karen found in each other a best friend and confidant not known before. During his few retirement years they enjoyed boating, camping and traveling together. Dan was preceded in death by his parents Victor and Alice Zeff and his big brother Tom Zeff. Left behind to cherish his memory is his wife Karen Garrett of the home Jacksonville, AR, 2 daughters, April (Zeff) Hawkins of Caldwell, ID and Audra Zeff of Fordland, MO and 1 son, Andy Zeff of Pasco, WA. He also leaves behind 2 Step-daughters - Anna Knowles of Little Rock, AR and Abbey Krause of Springfield, MO. He leaves behind 2 granddaughters - Lily Zeff of Pasco, WA and Shelby Krause of Springfield, MO and 2 grandsons - Austin Zeff of Caldwell, ID and Noah Weston of Kansas. Anyone who ever met Dan will never forget him. He was proud of his Polish heritage. He was a big man with a big personality and a big heart.

Family will gather at 11:30 to receive friends at the Roller-Owens Funeral Chapel.

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