Zelazny Jr., Lucian Walter

Dr. Lucian Walter Zelazny Jr., 66, of Blacksburg, Va., died peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, surrounded by his wife and five children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucian and Mary Zelazny; and a granddaughter, Faith Venerable.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Layel Parker Zelazny; daughters and sons-in-law, Laura and Mike Venerable, of Mason, Ohio, Lisa and Mike Goatley, of Blacksburg, and Lesley and Mike Lafon, of Blacksburg; sons and daughters-in-law, Lucian and Donna Zelazny, of Blacksburg, and Lloyd and Gretchen Zelazny, of Richmond; 15 grandchildren; sister, Lucille Zelazny-Kerfoot, of Houghton, Mich.; and many other family members.

Lucian was born May 8, 1942, in Bristol, Conn. He received BS and MS degrees from the University of Vermont and his PhD from Virginia Tech working in the field of soil science. He was a faculty member at the University of Florida from 1970 to 1975 and returned to Virginia Tech as a faculty member in the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences. Lucian was a member of the Virginia Tech faculty for 33 years and was named Thomas B. Hutcheson Jr. Eminent Scholar in 1993. He advised 36 graduate students during his career and received international renown for his research in soil science.

He was a dedicated Boy Scout leader for many years and an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, serving on the parish council and other committees. He will be lovingly remembered as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all.

A celebration of Lucian’s life will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2009, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Old Mill Road in Blacksburg, Va., with Father James Arsenault celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to support future Virginia Tech graduate students in Lucian’s department. Checks can be made out to the VT Foundation with the Zelazny Student Fund on the memo line and sent to CALS Development Office, 216D Hutcheson Hall, Blacksburg, Va. 24061.

Lucian’s family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2009, at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Dr., Blacksburg, Va., and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2009, at St. Mary’s Church.