Louis Henry Zabel

Major Louis H. Zabel (USAF Ret) passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday 16th July 2023 at his home at Hampton Cove, Owens Cross Roads, Alabama.

Louis was born in Wetmore, Kansas to parents Albert Herman and Mary Francis Zabel.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Janice K. Zabel and his sons Kendal H. Zabel (Alabama) and Aaron R. Zabel  (Florida) and his Daughter in Law Megan Grace Zabel and grandchildren Makenna, Caden and Hannah Zabel, (Alabama). He is preceded in death by his mother and Father, Albert (Ikey) and Mary-Francis and his brother Albert (Bud) Zabel. Louis was raised on a Farm/Cattle Ranch in Wetmore, Kansas.  At an early age he learned to ride a cattle pony. He knew how to rope, brand and ride the line on the herd.  Born during the depression era, he learned how to live off the land by trapping and shooting wild game and running fish lines.  He was a great cook, learning early at his mother’s knees how to bake and feed many farm hands.   When Lou left home the milk cow left home! Louis knew as a child in the early 1940s that he wanted to fly after witnessing a plane landing in one of the family pastures due to a low fuel emergency.  The pilot received gas from the family farm and paid for it by taking Louis up for his first flight. Louis was hooked and decided he was going to fly and not be a cowboy.  He joined the USAF as a Cadet in 1958.  He retired as a Master Navigator, serving as an Electronic Warfare Officer on B-52’s (BUF) during the Vietnam Conflict. Louis flew “Operation Looking Glass”, as well as serving and participating in the Cubin Crisis circling over the Mediterranean in a B-52 ready and loaded, Arc Light, Linebacker II over Hanoi and coordinated Tin City during Operation New Life after the fall of Saigon.  He served his country well!  Both of Louis’s Sons and Grandson followed his example of service by enlisting in the Navy, Army, and USMC. Retiring from the Air Force he decided on a new Career as a CPA.  He is a graduate of the University of North Florida.  Louis worked as an IRS Agent and later as a Revenue Agent for the State of Florida. Louis had a wicked sense of humor and was most happy when he was entertaining friends and cooking up his special Zabel family recipes and delights.

The family will place Louis’s ashes at Bushnell National Cemetery in Florida at a later date.