Dr. George Jimmy Zack

The “People’s Maestro,” Dr. George Jimmy Zack, 90, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026. While his passing was peaceful, his life was vibrant and joyfully lived—a life filled with music, laughter, travel, storytelling, lifelong friendships, and, above all, love.

Born on July 8, 1936, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, he was the son of proud Greek immigrants, Eugenia and George Zack; his last name shortened from Zachariades upon arriving at Ellis Island. In Pine Bluff, his father George opened the O.K. Ice Cream and Candy Company, and young George enjoyed working alongside his father in the family business where his well-known love of ice cream was born. George soon discovered the passion that would shape the rest of his life: music. He received a Bachelor of Music at Wichita State University (1958) focusing on theory and composition and graduating cum laude. He completed a Master of Music at the University of Michigan (1960) studying theory and viola. He received his PhD in Music and Medieval Art History at Florida State University (1972). His professional career began in 1964 when he became the conductor and music director of the Hiram College Orchestra in Hiram, Ohio. During that time he was also the conductor and music director for the Warren Chamber Orchestra in Ohio, a position he would hold until 1999.

George would tell you his life truly brightened the moment he met his true love, Kerry Sheehan. George and Kerry were introduced by mutual friends in the late 1960s and started as pen pals. When they finally met in person, Kerry never sent George a photograph. Instead, she told him he would recognize her because she would be "the one who looked like a Hanes pantyhose model" stepping off the plane. George spotted her immediately and greeted her with two yellow roses. They fell madly in love, marrying only 6 months later in October of 1970 in the Greek Orthodox church in New Haven, CT. Always the romantic, George continued to give Kerry two yellow roses on April 16 every year of their marriage to commemorate that first meeting.

George and Kerry settled in Lexington, Kentucky, where they built both their family and their community. George became music director and conductor of the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he held from 1972 until 2009. Through his infectious enthusiasm, extraordinary musicianship, and genuine love of sharing music, Maestro Zack helped make LPO concerts a treasured part of Lexington's cultural life. He inspired generations to discover the beauty and joy of classical music and once retired, he was honored as the Lexington Philharmonic Music Director Emeritus & Conductor Laureate.

Beyond his leadership of the Lexington Philharmonic, George was active nationally as a conductor, educator, and advocate for the arts. He served as interim conductor of the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra, provided artistic leadership for All-State Orchestras in Kentucky, Ohio, and New York, and held memberships in the American Symphony Orchestra League, the Conductors Guild, and the American Federation of Musicians. One of his favorite annual events was conducting the Advent Musicale in Mt. Sterling. He was a founding member of the Humanitarian Center for Culture and Diversity, served on advisory boards for Kentucky Educational Television (KET), the National Society of Arts and Letters, and the Jazz Foundation, and hosted the weekly WEKU radio program George Zack's Enhancement of Music.

His contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including the Kentucky Governor's Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts, the Hellenic Ideals Award, the Kentucky Arts Council's Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Conference for Community and Justice Lauren Weinberg Humanitarian Award, the Happy Chandler Distinguished Artist Award, and the Lexington Optimist Club Cup for community service. He also served as artist-in-residence at both Eastern Kentucky University and James Madison University.

Throughout his career, George believed music should bring people together, and he devoted his life to making the arts accessible to audiences, students, and communities throughout Kentucky and beyond.

George’s talents extended far beyond the conductor's podium. An accomplished cook and baker, George delighted family and friends with homemade breads, pasta, Greek pastries, and, of course, his famous biscotti. Beyond the concert hall, George was a kind, caring, and genuinely affable man who never met a stranger. He had a gift for making people feel seen and welcomed, whether through a heartfelt conversation, a well-timed joke, or a sincere compliment. His family extended far beyond those related by blood, and many people proudly counted themselves among "George's people." If you were fortunate enough to be one of them, you knew how deeply he loved and how fiercely loyal he was. His generosity, warmth, humor, and unwavering kindness left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He will be deeply missed. The music George brought into the lives of his family, friends, students, colleagues, and audiences will continue to resonate for generations.

He is survived by his sister, Mary Wildgen; his two loving daughters, Katherine Bender and Melissa Johnston; their husbands, Andrew Bender and Mark Johnston; four grandchildren he adored: Zackary Bender (24), Thomas Bender (20), Chloe Johnston (16), and Timothy Johnston (14); as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 44 years, Kerry Zack (2014); his older brother, Peter Zack (2023); his mother, Eugenia Zack (2008); and his father, George Zack (1973).

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra or the Alzheimer's Association.