Remembering Hilary" Zig" Ziglar November 6, 1926 - November 28, 2012

The Top

You are at "The Top" When:

You have made friends with your past.  Are focused on the present and optimistic about your future.

You have the love of friends and the respect of your enemies.

You are filled with faith, hope and love.  And live without anger, greed, guilt, envy or thoughts of revenge.

You know that failure to stand for what is morally right is the prelude to being the victim of what is criminally wrong.

You are mature enough to delay gratification and shift your focus from your "rights" to your "responsibilities"

You love the unlovable, give hope to the hopeless, friendship to the friendless, and encouragement to the discouraged.

You know that "success" (a win) doesn't make you, and failure (a loss) doesn't break you.

You can look back in forgiveness, forward in hope, down in compassion and up with gratitude.

You are secure in who (and whose) you are, so you are at peace with God and in fellowship with man.

You clearly understand that yesterday ended last night, that today is a brand new day-and it's yours.

You know that "he who would be the greatest among you must become the servant of all."

You are "over the top" when:  You hear your Lord and Saviour say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

These words were printed on Zig Ziglar's memorial program, excerpts from Zig's book "Over the Top," one of the twenty five books on motivation written by Ziglar.  Ten of the books were best sellers.

Hilary Hinton Ziglar was born in Alabama and was the tenth of twelve children.  When Zig was five, his family moved to Yazoo City, Mississippi after his dad took a job managing a farm.  A year after the move, Zig's father and his younger sister died within a couple of days of each other.  His mother was the foremost influence in Zig's life, and he described her as a strict, devout woman whose mental storehouse of adages ("The person who won't stand for something will fall for anything") remained a
cornerstone of Ziglar's speeches and writings.

Zig completed high school and entered the U.S. Navy during World War II where he served in the Navy Training Program and started his education at the University of South Carolina.  He soon dropped out of college and took a job as a cookware salesman.  He also sold insurance and automotive performance parts.

Zig Ziglar's speaking career happened later in his life after years of becoming interested in what make's a man tick as well as why some people succeed and others fail.  Following year's of studying human behavior, Zig published his first book "Biscuits, Fleas, and Pump Handles" that's title changed to "See You At The Top" at the age of 49.  It was during this time that he also became a sought after speaker on motivational issues.  His start at speaking included engagements at local service clubs and  church groups that eventually grew to corporate retreats and conferences for firms like IBM and J.C. Penneys.

He located to the Dallas, Texas area and the demand for his speaking grew until he launched a business  that he called Zigmanship Institute, now Ziglar, Inc.  He sometimes earned tens of thousands of dollars per speech and would occasionally waive his fee for a humanitarian cause.  He is remembered for hundreds of quotes over the years including one that he told himself everyday "Yesterday ended last night, Today is a brand new day.  And it's yours."

Zig's memorial program

Zig Ziglar was a devout Christian and an active member of the Prestonwood Baptist Church having taught Sunday school for many years and often wove his Christian principles with his motivational writings and speeches.

Zig Ziglar died on November 28, 2012 from pneumonia at the age of 86.

Ziglar memorial service

His funeral service (program pictured) called "Praise To God For the Celebration and Life of Zig Ziglar was held Saturday Dec. 1, 2012 in the Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas.  Hundreds paid tribute to Ziglar through words and song.  Dr. Jack Graham, pastor of the church called Zig's service a "See You At The Top celebration."   Graham told the audience that more than a decade ago, Ziglar approached Graham about his future memorial service.  He discussed with him the scriptures that should be used as well as the song choices.  Ziglar was quoted as saying "I believe the major objective of my funeral should be to serve as an evangelistic occasion for the lost and as an encouragement for other Christians.   If based on your experience my choices

Zig's resting place

of songs and procedures are not the most conducive for persuading others to join me in eternity, please make whatever changes you deem advisable."  Songs included "Because He Lives" "Victory in Jesus" and "Sweet Little Jesus Boy"

Zig Ziglar was laid to rest in the Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas with the Bible verse "Romans 8:28 appears on his marker  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who, have been called according to his purpose."