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Chris Zora passes away; memorial set for Jan. 17
By Brad Meyer
Professional automobile appraiser Chris Zora, 66, a colorful and sometimes controversial figure in Montgomery County politics, died of a heart attack Dec. 14.
A memorial service for Zora will be held from 5-8 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Montgomery County Community Center, located at 102 Liberty St. in Montgomery, according to information from his obituary.
Zora was the sole proprietor of Automobile Appraisers and Associates and a senior member of the American Society of Appraisers and accredited member of The International Society of Appraisers.
An outspoken community activist, Zora was known for his involvement in civic and political matters. He was a regular attendee at Montgomery County Commissioners Court meetings and a frequent writer to The Courier’s Letters to the Editor.
“He was a real thorn in their sides,” said Jacqui Brooks, a lifelong friend of Zora, about his relationship with county officials. “He was very up front about his feelings. You never had to wonder where he stood on an issue.”
Last year in March, Zora filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas against Montgomery County, Sheriff Tommy Gage, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Randy McDaniel, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Artemus and other employees of Montgomery County, claiming improper conduct and a violation of personal rights.
Zora alleged $24,000 in cash and automobile parts were stolen from a storage facility he leased between May and December of 2007.
In June, Leonard J. Meyer, an attorney hired by Zora after the suit was filed, submitted a motion to dismiss on behalf of his client. U.S. District Court Judge Venessa D. Gilmore dismissed the case June 20.
“You either liked Chris or you didn’t,” Brooks said. “A lot of people will miss him.”
In lieu of flowers, family members request donations be made in the memory of Zora to the Heart Fund or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
A memorial service for Zora will be held from 5-8 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Montgomery County Community Center, located at 102 Liberty St. in Montgomery, according to information from his obituary.
Zora was the sole proprietor of Automobile Appraisers and Associates and a senior member of the American Society of Appraisers and accredited member of The International Society of Appraisers.
An outspoken community activist, Zora was known for his involvement in civic and political matters. He was a regular attendee at Montgomery County Commissioners Court meetings and a frequent writer to The Courier’s Letters to the Editor.
“He was a real thorn in their sides,” said Jacqui Brooks, a lifelong friend of Zora, about his relationship with county officials. “He was very up front about his feelings. You never had to wonder where he stood on an issue.”
Last year in March, Zora filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas against Montgomery County, Sheriff Tommy Gage, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Randy McDaniel, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Artemus and other employees of Montgomery County, claiming improper conduct and a violation of personal rights.
Zora alleged $24,000 in cash and automobile parts were stolen from a storage facility he leased between May and December of 2007.
In June, Leonard J. Meyer, an attorney hired by Zora after the suit was filed, submitted a motion to dismiss on behalf of his client. U.S. District Court Judge Venessa D. Gilmore dismissed the case June 20.
“You either liked Chris or you didn’t,” Brooks said. “A lot of people will miss him.”
In lieu of flowers, family members request donations be made in the memory of Zora to the Heart Fund or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
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Reader Comments
volleymom2504 wrote on Jan 7, 2009 10:21 AM:
" Apparently, Whisky, you've been drinking again. The article clearly states that was his profession, but he was known more for his COMMUNITY ACTIVISM and involvement in local politics. If he was as involved as the paper states, that makes the article newsworthy, due to the news value "prominence."
But don't worry. The Courier will probably provide your death the same coverage as you want this person to have. "
But don't worry. The Courier will probably provide your death the same coverage as you want this person to have. "
longaway wrote on Jan 7, 2009 11:37 AM:
" Whiskyecho i have to say when im in the dumps and having a bad day you can always make me laugh and smile with the comments you make ! People make comments like you do because no one knows who they are on here but it looks like everyone knows you are and you still dont care ! "
kyhooya wrote on Jan 7, 2009 1:58 PM:
" Longaway: Whiskey is flat footed and don't give a schmidt if you like what he says.... You are correct it is quite funny. Even when you get busted on...trust me I have been on the wrong end of that one before.....but it's still funny. "
Whiskyecho wrote on Jan 7, 2009 2:33 PM:
" as the intelligent folks who post here know, when I make a faux pas ( a booboo to you, volleymomperson) and it's pointed out to me as such, I hone-up to the fact and admit as to what I've done
that, however, isn't the case with reference to this article "
that, however, isn't the case with reference to this article "
Whiskyecho wrote on Jan 7, 2009 3:20 PM:
" kim yung93 wrote on Jan 7, 2009 3:00 PM:
" can we have a celebration for him in the woodlands? "
___________________________________________________________________________________
perhaps - what's the percentage of Woodlands residents who are automobile appraisers ? "
" can we have a celebration for him in the woodlands? "
___________________________________________________________________________________
perhaps - what's the percentage of Woodlands residents who are automobile appraisers ? "
dp wrote on Jan 9, 2009 12:05 PM:
" To Whom it May Concern,
I just read the comments posted about this article. It has been my experience when you are in a small town and a member of that town for a long period you are often writen about in various articles. For example, I just read an article in my local newspaper about young men being commissioned into the military. This is what fills the spaces of a community newspaper. As for this guy being a muckraking scoundrel, I guess that's easy to judge since you didn't know him. Many times people that are outspoken are looked at in a bad way because they don't hesitate to speak up. However those are the people that don't just sit back and judge other people. They are the ones that fight for the beliefs of many, including those that don't have courage enough to speak out, unless they do so under assumed "USER NAMES".
To celebrate his life in the Woodlands or anywhere else wouldn't mean you needed to be an Appraiser. Perhaps Chris Zora appraised your antique automobile, shared your love of cars or even other interest that Chris had. According to Ms. Brooks "A lot of people will miss him." "
I just read the comments posted about this article. It has been my experience when you are in a small town and a member of that town for a long period you are often writen about in various articles. For example, I just read an article in my local newspaper about young men being commissioned into the military. This is what fills the spaces of a community newspaper. As for this guy being a muckraking scoundrel, I guess that's easy to judge since you didn't know him. Many times people that are outspoken are looked at in a bad way because they don't hesitate to speak up. However those are the people that don't just sit back and judge other people. They are the ones that fight for the beliefs of many, including those that don't have courage enough to speak out, unless they do so under assumed "USER NAMES".
To celebrate his life in the Woodlands or anywhere else wouldn't mean you needed to be an Appraiser. Perhaps Chris Zora appraised your antique automobile, shared your love of cars or even other interest that Chris had. According to Ms. Brooks "A lot of people will miss him." "
dp wrote on Jan 9, 2009 12:16 PM:
" professional automobile appraiser - someone who gives an accurate value of a vehicle for insurance purposes, tax purposes, replacement value, deminished value etc. If you own an antique vehicle and restore it then you have to have it appraised in order to know the value. Insurance companies aren't going to just take your word for it. For example you upgrade your current vehicle with wheels, video, music, etc. The insurance company isn't going to pay you for all of those upgrades unless you have PROOF. Antique cars are a lot more difficult to value, so an appraisal is generally needed if you want to insure the vehicle. Same as when you have your home appraised. "
Whiskyecho wrote on Jan 7, 2009 8:42 AM:
this guy sounds like nothing more than a muckraking scoundrel - why is his dying shown here and not only in the obits ? "