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Police Continue Search For Missing Sulphur Springs Man

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 15, 2007

TAMPA - Most neighbors who see John Raymond Zachreus call him "Willie Nelson" because his beard, brown hair and straw hat remind them of the country singer, police said.

John Raymond Zachreus

No one in his Sulphur Springs neighborhood has seen Zachreus, 78, since Oct. 16, which has police alarmed.

"He's somebody I'm worried about," Tampa police missing-persons investigator Mike Wirth said. "All the neighbors say he's the nicest guy in the world."

Zachreus lives alone in an apartment at 1728 E. Mulberry Drive. In good health, he is known to walk every day along nearby railroad tracks, Wirth said.

He typically winds up at the Short Stop Food Mart at 2003 E. Waters Ave., where he greets everyone with a wave, Wirth said.

The man's landlord reported him missing, Wirth said. Wirth unsuccessfully has checked local hospitals and also retraced the man's route along the tracks several times, in case Zachreus fell ill or was struck by a train.

Zachreus He has a daughter who lives out of town and who has not heard from him, Wirth said.

Zachreus also has $10,000 in a bank account, which has not been touched since he vanished, Wirth said.

Police described Zachreus as about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 115 pounds. Wirth asked anyone with information about his disappearance to call police at (813) 231-6130.

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.

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