Pedro Zabala Jr.

Pedro Zabala Jr., 69, of Burns, Oregon, passed away on May 8, 2026, after a courageous five-year battle with cancer. He was born on June 4, 1956, in Munitibar, Bizkaia, Spain to Pedro and Elvira Aranaz and was the second child in the family, joining his older brother, Joe. In 1957, the Zabala Family immigrated to Burns and the family later welcomed Gloria and Felix.

Pedro attended school at Henry L Slater, Lincoln Jr High and Burns High School. He talked often about the kids in his neighborhood and the mischief they caused. After graduating from Burns High School in 1974, Pedro attended Treasure Valley Community College for a short time before returning home to begin work at the Edward Hines Lumber Company. In 1977, he met the love of his life, Toni Tilley, while she was still in high school. Pedro attended dances with Toni during her high school years and spent countless hours at the home of Larry and Lila Tilley, the same home he later remodeled and where he was blessed to spend the final year of his life.

After the closure of Edward Hines Lumber Company, Pedro worked various jobs before securing a position with the City of Hines, where he served as Public Works Director for many years. He later transitioned to the City of Burns, continuing in the same role up until his retirement in September 2020 after many years of public service.

Pedro is preceded in death by his wife, Toni Zabala (Tilley), his parents Pedro and Elvira Zabala, his in-laws Larry and Lila Tilley, brother Joe Zabala, and brother in-laws Lindsey and Randy Wenick and Curtis Calkins. He is survived by his loving companion, Tammy Reeves, his two daughters, Amaya (Andy) Adkins of La Grande and Mattea (Carraig) Colahan of Klamath Falls, his four grandchildren; Kasyn Adkins, Kepa Adkins, Deacon Colahan, and Maite Colahan, sister Gloria Zabala of Eugene, brother Felix (Karen) Zabala of Burns, sister-in-law Candy Calkins of Vancouver, WA, sister-in-law Wanda Wenick of Seneca, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pedro was known for his strong work ethic, larger-than-life presence, and unmistakable height; many will fondly remember how he could kick the door jamb at the Central with ease. Pedro was raised in a Basque boarding house, where he learned many lifelong skills including sewing, cooking, cleaning, canning food, and making traditional Basque chorizos. Those traditions and values stayed with him throughout his life and were a source of great pride. He carried his Basque heritage proudly throughout his life and never missed an opportunity to share stories about the strength and uniqueness of the Basque people. He loved hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors, and he especially cherished watching his children play sports during their younger years. Above all, Pedro will be remembered for his pride in his family, his heritage, and his ability to make an impression on everyone he met. Pedro’s memory will live on through the family and friends who loved him deeply.