Passing of alumnus and Zapara School of Business namesake, Violet Zapara

Vi and her husband, Tom, who passed away on June 16, 2024 at age 100, are the namesakes and served as the seed benefactors of the Tom & Vi Zapara School of Business. The state-of-the-art, 60,200-square-foot, $16 million business school and conference center opened in 2013. La Sierra University and the Zapara School of Business are deeply saddened by the passing of our caring friend and alumnus, Vi. 

"Tom and Vi were among our best champions." – John Thomas, Dean, Tom & Vi Zapara School of Business

“Our hearts are broken over the loss of our dear friend and supporter, Vi Zapara,” said John Thomas, dean of the Zapara School of Business and a 30-year friend of the Zaparas. “Tom and Vi were among our best champions, always there in the background to lend quiet support, never wanting the spotlight. They are the best models of humble philanthropy, walking quietly while making a huge difference.”

A life sketch below provides insights into Vi's giving life and the dedication she and Tom exhibited to Seventh-day Adventism’s values throughout their lives. 

An Impactful Life

Violet Zapara, known to her family as “Vi,” died on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. She was 99 years old. Her husband, Tom, had preceded her in death on June 16, 2024. Visionary, loyal, and generous supporters of Seventh-day Adventist education they provided the lead gift making possible the construction of the new building housing La Sierra University’s business school; the school was named in their honor in 2012.

Vi was born Violet Boyko on April 21, 1926, near Max, North Dakota to Ukrainian immigrant parents. Determined to become a teacher, she did not allow adversity—including the early death of her father—impede her preparation for this life mission.

While attending La Sierra College, she functioned as a bridesmaid at a friend’s summer backyard wedding. She attracted the attention of fellow Ukrainian Tom Zapara who immediately decided she was going to be God’s gift to him! He had recently been discharged from the United States Army, in which he had served as a medic during World War II, and had begun studying at La Sierra as well.

Vi and Tom began a romantic relationship. Tom made very clear his desire to marry Vi, but she did not want marriage to keep her from completing her education. As a result, she graciously declined—not once, but many times. Tom remained enthusiastic; she accepted his marriage proposal immediately after her graduation. The proposal came during a telephone call from Alaska, where Tom had gone to work as a colporteur for the summer; Vi’s acceptance was conditioned on Tom’s agreement to accompany her to her first teaching job, at Indiana Academy, where she was to teach French.

Several years later, Vi and Tom returned to Southern California where Vi continued her teaching career until Tom decided to leave his job in pharmaceutical sales so that the two could begin their own business. That business began on their kitchen table; Vi and Tom manufactured and sold vitamins to large industrial manufacturing plants in the Los Angeles area. The business grew to become Zee Medical Corporation, the largest manufacturer of industrial first aid kits in the world when it was subsequently sold.

After the sale of the multiple businesses they had created, Vi and Tom became philanthropists: they sought to honor God with the assets with which divine providence had blessed them. Over more than forty years, Vi was a key player in their philanthropic ventures. Lifelong Seventh-day Adventists, they focused on supporting Adventist education, health ministry, evangelism, and mission. Their generosity led to, among other things, the erection of the new home of La Sierra University’s Tom and Vi Zapara School of Business and the Tom and Vi Zapara Rehabilitation Pavilion at Loma Linda University. They funded Zapara Awards that recognized excellence in Adventist teaching across disciplines, levels, and institutions. (At a North American Division teachers’ convention, she and Tom were happily photographed with a group of over 400 teachers who had received these awards.) And they aided in the activities of, among others, the Hart Research Center, It Is Written television ministries, Adventist-Laymen’s Services and Industries, and Loma Linda University’s Exceed program.

While Tom’s philanthropic involvement was publicly visible, Vi was a thoughtful, active partner in the Zaparas’ philanthropy, just as she had been in their entrepreneurial ventures. Her insights into the needs of people and the mission of the church helped to guide their profound impact. She was also the one who signed the Zaparas’ checks—many times for six- or seven-figure amounts! Despite the Zaparas’ financial successes, she fussed overspending small amounts on herself, which is one of the reasons she and Tom had the funds with which they were able to bless so many others. In conversations with family members and friends, she underscored her satisfaction with the impact of the Zaparas’ philanthropy, especially on Adventist education. 

Vi Zapara is survived by her daughters, Shelley Zapara Fox and Cindy Zapara; her son-in-law Jere Fox; her grandchildren, Jackie Zapara Gilstrap and Jackie's husband, David, Jesika Reiner Chalker, Jesika’s husband, Mike, Rachael Reiner, Claire Reiner, Claire’s husband, Carter; and Zachary Reiner and his wife Alyssa; and her great grandchildren, Payton and Blake Gilstrap, Sutton and Nolan Chalker, and Pfeiffer Asmann. An incredible friend and a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she will be greatly missed by the many people with whom she was deeply and warmly connected. Her contributions to humanity will only be fully acknowledged in heaven.

Thanks to Dan Houghton, Shelley Zapara Fox, Jere Fox, and Cindy Zapara for their contributions to this biographical sketch.