KINGMAN – Many of those who knew and loved him will pay their last respects this weekend to the late James Zyla. For years, the red-capped, white bearded Zyla shuffled the streets of Kingman.

Many mistook Zyla for a helpless transient though he was highly educated and intelligent and wowed anyone who heard him play a piano. Affectionately known as “Kingman’s Santa”, Zyla drew feature coverage in the L.A. Times and a number of other newspapers and he was once presented a key to the city by Kingman Mayor Jen Miles.

The Sunday, July 4 open-house style memorial for Zyla is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the VFW Hall at 6068 Supai Dr. behind the Neelys Korner indoor swap meet.

Dave Hawkins