Live, love, laugh–and dream–big
Arizona Zeb Connell had a fervor for life. He soaked up every scrap of knowledge and every bit of beauty, whether mundane or grand. Curious and deeply thoughtful, Zeb was always learning—often reading multiple books at once, exploring ideas about business, technology, and the emerging world of AI, and filling notebooks with plans and possibilities. He was a dreamer, but more than that, he believed in turning ideas into something that could help others.
With the same ease with which Zeb found value everywhere, he gave back. He never passed a person in need without offering something—not out of charity, but out of respect. As a child, he wrote in a school journal that his greatest wish was to end homelessness.
Zeb’s infectious and generous nature lent itself naturally to tremendous love in his life. On the first night he met Kristi Smith, he called his mom and sister to report he’d met the love of his life. That same night, Kristi, who was friends with Zeb’s sister, called her to tell her the news: she was in love. Their connection was immediate and undeniable. Kristi described Zeb as having an optimistic innocence and a magnetic energy unlike anyone she had ever known. They could spend entire nights talking about everything and nothing, losing track of time, or sit together in complete silence, equally at peace.
From the beginning of their relationship, Zeb was open about his struggle with substance use disorder. When he and Kristi met, he was in long-term recovery. He was deeply self-aware and wanted sobriety more than anything. He took steps to protect himself from relapse, reaching out for help and attempting to put barriers in place to prevent access to substances. Kristi stood beside him in that fight, learning about addiction, attending meetings with him, and building a life centered on support, understanding, and hope.
Throughout Zeb’s struggle with substance use, his love for his family never wavered. His daughter, Aria, was the most significant part of his life, and he was endlessly proud of her. He cherished every moment he spent with her—teaching her how to rollerblade and ride a bike, singing loudly together in the car, or simply hearing her say, “Hi, Daddy.” He spoke often of the moment he first held her, describing it as an instant, overwhelming love unlike anything he had ever known.
Substance use disorder complicated Zeb’s path, but it never defined him. He was not indifferent to his struggle, often hardest on himself. He carried deep shame for the way addiction impacted his life, especially when it created distance between him and his family. Yet even in the depths of his own battle, he showed up for others. Those who knew him in recovery remember him as a leader, someone who answered the phone, offered encouragement, and spoke honestly about the realities of addiction.
Zeb is remembered by many, but especially by his mother, Vicki, whose unwavering love and support were a constant in his life. He often said he would not have lived as long as he had without her.
Zeb lived with intensity, curiosity, and heart. He noticed beauty that others overlooked and questioned what others accepted. His life reflects both the humanity and the complexity of substance use disorder—and the truth that those who struggle are not defined by their disease, but by the depth of who they are.
Zeb’s significant other, Kristi Smith, provided the information for this narrative.
September 3, 1986–February 4, 2025–Age 38
Portrait Artist: Shawn Faust
Narrative Writer: Livia Cohen
