Courageous, giving, brave, musical, loved
Zachary’s life was marked by a fierce love for those around him, a wicked sense of humor, and a dedication to helping others. Zachary’s favorite moments in life were those spent with his daughter Evelyn, now 21, who was the light of his life. He reveled in fatherhood, teaching her how to skateboard, play guitar and make goofy videos.
Gifted musically, Zachary had a profound love for playing guitar and creating music with his friends. Passionate about recovery, Zachary regularly attended meetings, helped others find recovery, and provided encouragement for them. He was the kind of friend who would go to great lengths to support those he cared about, day or night. Fiercely loyal, Zachary was always there to lend a helping hand or a listening ear.
A fan of the Hawkeyes, Batman, and heavy metal band, Pantera, he also loved the outdoors and cooking. An adrenaline lover, Zachary’s mom, Vicki, recalls riding roller coasters over and over with him. Zachary had a goal of providing a wonderful home for his daughter and a desire to work on wind farms fixing propellers. “He wanted to be sober and happy,” Vicki stated. “But his addiction took away his ability to work, his self-esteem, and his mental health. He became depressed and could not shake it.”
Zachary and his brothers, Taylor and Terry, were all very close. His youngest brother, Terry, died on the same day, and in the same way as Zachary, of a fentanyl overdose. The two are buried together. Their father, Patrick, a military veteran who struggled with alcoholism, died by suicide in 2014. His death accelerated Zachary’s drug use.
Vicki, who runs a non-profit helping people with heroin addiction and supporting their families, has gained a lot of understanding about addiction. The death of her sons has “shattered her to the core.” “Watching them die in front of you, and you can’t save them, is horrible,” she said. She misses Zachary’s presence, his common-sense advice, his humor, his companionship, and the music that is now missing from her home.
Zachary’s mother, Vicki Kershner, provided the information for this narrative.
September 16, 1984-April 9, 2016-Age 31
Portrait Artist: Clayton Conner
Narrative Writer: Barbara Francois
