Zack was a unique child since he took his first breath. He always marched to the tune of his own drummer, literally and figuratively. As a child, he loved to ride bikes and skateboards. He played video games every waking moment. He also became a wonderful Jazz drummer. He and his older brother, Brandon, formed a sibling Jazz duo named Hatched. They played all over the state of Maryland and were quite good. Zack loved to make others laugh. He did not mind being the class clown.

He knew early on he would not go to college since he was so good with his hands. He had aspirations of becoming an underwater welder and MMA fighter. In April of 2022, our family suffered a devastating house fire that caused us to lose everything. That paled in comparison to Zack sustaining second and third-degree burns on 1/3 of his body. He was only 17 years old. He fought his way back from his injuries and many surgeries to make a full recovery. We were all so proud of him. He accomplished the impossible!

In July of 2023, we moved from MD to AZ in hopes of Zack starting a new life where no one knew him. He got a job, and driver’s license, and was enrolled in welding school at the local community college. We were all so excited for Zack to catch up to his peers since his surgeries and hospital stays caused him to lose some time.

When he received his driver’s license, we discussed him being an organ donor. I told him how so many people die waiting for organs and how he wouldn’t need his organs once he died so why not donate them? He agreed. He died not too long after that. It was unexpected and sudden. Zachary struggled with several mental health disorders but he was more than his disorders. He was a kind, loving young man who was teased for his burns and made fun of because of his autism. He fought hard every day to give the illusion he was not struggling mentally.

Zack is missed more than words can express. He had his whole life ahead of him. He had hopes and dreams and was working on realizing them. He had unconditional love from his family who would have continued to help him until the end of time if he had been able to articulate how badly he was suffering. He left us due to an impulsive and spontaneous decision but we do not judge him. We empathize with him and his suffering. To our family, he is a hero in so many ways, but especially because he gave his liver and kidneys to 3 strangers so they could get extra time with their families. We created #wefightforzack so we can track his message.

Zachary Michael Born 12/16/04- 9/5/24 Forever our hero, forever in our hearts.