COLUMBUS, INDIANA
Ever know someone you taught a new thing and then they beat you at it the very next time? How about someone who WAS the party no matter the occasion? That was Zach and, in an instant, we tragically lost him on Friday, July 21, 2023, in a car accident in Lexington, KY. He was born September 11, 1993, in Muncie, IN where he lived the first year of his life. He then began an adventure with his mom, Kelley, through four years of optometry school and snagged Sean who would become his dad soon after. We moved to Columbus in 1998 and soon his life was blessed with two adoring sisters, Julia and Rachel. Zach tried many activities but fell in love with soccer. As he was entering high school, he got a brother, Ethan, to even out the odds. His doting grandma, Sara, got to see him graduate from Columbus East in 2011 before she passed away and he wore her ring around his neck that he never took off. Zach shared the East record for most soccer goals in a season for a decade. He went on to play for St Joseph’s College, attended Northern Kentucky University and most recently was finishing his degree at Morehead State University in pre-dentistry. While in school, Zach was working for West Point Optical in the Lexington area and their Gucci sales will certainly see a dip without him. Zach was active with the Pre-Dental club and spent many Fridays doing community dental outreach. Zach loved music and he played it loud. He went to many EDM concerts and festivals with friends, Julia, and bonus mom Angie.
Zach is survived by his beloved cat-son, Kingsley, who will now live with his self-proclaimed “ride or die” mom, Kelley Deak. His dad, Sean, and bonus mom, Angie Deak, also reside in Columbus. Both Kelley and Sean are practicing optometrists in town. Zach leaves behind his adoring younger siblings Julia (Bloomington), Rachel (Indianapolis), and Ethan (Columbus). Zach loved his beach grandparents, Carol &Phil Smith and playing trains with his grandpa, Steve Jarvis. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Michael Wolter (Linda) who passed on the hairy, giant gene and Barney Deak who cultivated his insufferable love for the Cubs. Zach was fiercely loyal to his friends and family and looked just like his uncle Pat (Cari). The goon squad also included his cousins, Cameron and Cory. His aunt Kim (Clayton, Hannah, Jacob) dropped everything to be a live-in nanny when he was a toddler. He shared deep discussions with his uncle Terry (Veronica) and had fun, sporty times with his uncle Mike (Kristie, Owen, Nate, Elise). Rawle and his island family stepped in to enhance his fete skills and honed his palate for Trini food and culture. Zach was also blessed with bonus siblings, Trevis, Chae, Vana, Shemar, Jianna, Macee, Logan, and Ty along with so many other relatives too numerous to list!
Zach’s memorial service will be a celebration of all things he loved and will be held Saturday, July 29 at 2:00 p.m. at Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home at 1029 Washington St, Columbus, IN. Calling hours will precede the service from 11 a.m.-2:00 p.m. His cremated remains will be buried next to his Grandma Sara Jarvis at a later date at Grandview Cemetery in Bloomfield, IN. Please wear something purple or a basketball, EDM, or soccer jersey in honor of Zach. Donations will go toward funeral expenses, our animal shelter as well as a soccer scholarship in his name. Official fund set up by his uncle Pat Wolter at https://gofundme/77385952.
Condolences and special memories may be shared with Zach’s family at barkesweaverglick.com.
