Entrepreneur, artist, world traveler and mentor, Jo Zakas was a unique individual.
August 4, 2016
Zakas’ vitality is expressed by one of her favorite sayings,
“There is always another possibility.”
Jo S. Zakas
Those words of her wisdom and many more can be found in her book, “Acrylic Art” by Jo S. Zakas.
Wichita lost a civic leader August 4, 2016, when Jo didn’t recover from heart surgery.
She was active in business, artistic, and philanthropic affairs since moving to Wichita in the late 1960s from Kansas City to open a third location for her clothing store, Plaza Nine, Ltd. That business experience led her in 1972 to develop Clifton Square, a shopping center of vintage College Hill houses for office and retail use. The Square, which she sold months before her untimely death, had been a small business incubator for 45 years.
Among her many awards, Jo was honored by the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce in 1998 with the “Over the Years” Award. Wichita’s City Council honored her in 2002 with her very own “Jo S. Zakas Day.”
Jo was given the “Woman of Achievement” Award by Women in Communications. She was the first woman, and non-banker, to chair the Kansas Banking Board, and was active in many business organizations.
President Bill Clinton appointed Jo to the Defense Advisory Committee of Women in the Service (DACOWITS) on whose behalf she traveled the world to assess conditions for service personnel at U.S. military bases.
Success in business was not Jo’s only interest. She began painting while in Newport Beach, CA in 1982, and progressed to iron sculptures upon her return to Wichita. Jo’s artwork has been featured in many art shows and galleries and can be found in numerous private collections.
She received the City of Wichita Art Council Award in 2013.
In 2010, she opened Artist Central, a gallery and studio for herself and many other artists.
Though art was her calling, jazz was her passion. She helped many jazz musicians over the years, providing a venue for them at Clifton Wine & Jazz, and also hiring them to entertain friends at her many wonderful parties.
Jo’s philanthropy to many organizations was directed in recent years through her charitable foundation, which is focused on individuals and social service agencies that are overlooked by more well-known charities. This 501(c)3 foundation helps women, and their children, leave abusive situations, provides emergency residential placement for children who are removed from their homes, plus helping aspiring artists, and people whose lives have just taken a wrong turn and need help.
Jo Zakas was the youngest of Elsie Watkins Kanan Zacher and Maurice Patrick Kanan’s eleven children. Her mother’s second husband was Charles Zacher, who had six children, giving Jo 17 siblings, with seven Kanan’s and one Zacher preceding her passing.
She is survived by her siblings James Pohlman, Desert Hot Springs, CA; Richard Fredrickson Sr., Burnet, TX; Steve Schunaman, Spotsylvania, VA; Carl Zacher, Claycomo, MO; Frederick Zacher, Norman, OK; Samuel Zacher, Pocahontas, IL; Jean Trzecki, Dunnellon, FL; Rosella Tyrone, Claycomo, MO; Marietta Zacher, Smithville, MO; numerous nieces and nephews; her many friends; and the wonder-dog, Tango.
A memorial has been established with the Jo Zakas Legacy Foundation, 6505 E. Central, Ste. 115, Wichita, KS 67206.
Her legacy of achievement and zest for life will live in our memories with her words,
“Be aware of the energy you bring to others.”
Jo S. Zakas
Find the original obituary at Downing & Lahey Mortuaries & Crematory.
