Zachary Thomas Summerhays
April 11, 2003 - April 13, 2023
Zachary Thomas Summerhays passed away suddenly in his beloved hometown of South Jordan, Utah on April 13, 2023 in a tragic car accident. He was 20 years old.
Even as a child, Zach’s gentleness, kindness, and smile radiated out to everyone around him. His light grew brighter each day and year of his life. He was our “little man.”
Zach was raised with his big sister and best friend Madison. Zach loved his family and friends dearly and loved never-ending play and socializing. As he grew, his friendships became his passion, and he was their biggest fan. He was the light and soul of every friend and family gathering.
Zach lived and breathed music. He often shared songs back and forth with friends and family. In fact, we are sure he’s hanging with Mac Miller right this moment. Zach loved the Utah Jazz, Utah Utes, Dallas Cowboys, playing on the Xbox with buddies and cousins, beach days in Bear Lake with his family, and celebrations and holidays with family and friends. Zach was quite the history and science buff too, and when it came to his favorite food and snacks, he loved all things salty and savory.
Zach will be cherished and missed by so many, and his charming personality, passions, and accomplishments will be remembered forever. He discovered who he was, and he knew where he was going. Zach seemed to grow up overnight. After attending Bingham High School, he worked for a Pesticide company back East for the summer and not only improved his work ethic, confidence and communication skills, but made fantastic friends. When he came home, he moved to St. George and worked for a pizza company and, as Zach could always do, made wonderful friends and learned more about “adulting”. Zach recently moved back to West Jordan and started on the path of becoming an electrician, beginning his apprenticeship just two weeks ago. How excited and eager he was for this new chapter in his life. To see this young man energetically get up at 5:00 am for work was everything.
Zach gave the most fantastic 6’2” hugs and always looked out for his friends and family. They were extremely proud of the boy he had been and the man he had become. Zach’s smile, locks of hair, his laugh, quick wit, smarts, and dimples were unmatched. His kindness, humor, and his gratitude for all he had was undeniable. The way he was so brave and ventured on his own, and the way he helped out perfect strangers was simply beautiful.
Zachary was an amazing son, brother, friend, grandson, nephew, cousin, man and more. Our hearts are forever broken, and the world is simply less beautiful without him, but our hearts rejoice in knowing we will see him again forever.
Zach is survived by his parents Jennifer Messina, Joshua J Summerhays and Nichole Almond Summerhays, his sister Madison Summerhays, his grandparents Tom and Michele Messina, Vickie Summerhays, and LaRae Almond. Zach is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins who loved him dearly.
Zach is preceded in death by his grandparents Steven R. Summerhays, Ronnie Almond and his uncles, Troy and Jason Almond.
Zachary Thomas Summerhays, we love you to the moon and back and 9,422 more times over. We know you are flying high with your handsome smile, dimples, and long arms, and we know you are lighting up the heavens even more.
A grand celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2023 from 1-4 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East Millcreek. In lieu of flowers, just remember Zach, hug and tell your family you love them.
In Loving Memory
I'm so sorry for the loss. Zach was a great friend and like a brother. I hope he knows how much everyone loved him
The pain is real, and deep. The feeling Zach left in our hearts is irreplaceable. Im so sorry for your loss. <3
Zach has touched every heart he knew. The fun, gentle, caring, thoughtful, and funniest boy he was, made everyone a fan. Growing up with him has been such a gift. He taught me how to love, live & laugh. I will love him and cherish our times forever. I can't wait to see him again, laugh with him again, and give him the biggest hug. Zach will be so missed.
From the moment i met zach, he brought an amazing energy into the room and made anyone feel welcome in a room of strangers. he was so kind, funny, giving, thoughtful, and smart. i watched him persevere and grow in struggles that came to him and saw such strength. i'm grateful i got to call him my boyfriend and share memories that warm my heart. my condolences to his friends and family and everyone that knew him. he will be so missed.
Z i'm devastated, i'm never gonna forget your friendship you and i shared, kaden, caleb, jake, parker, and i miss you so much and are heartbroken by your passing, thank you for always talking to me in the halls when we had school at bingham, thanks for the laughs, the cries and the best times my heart has shattered into a million pieces knowing you're gone, i would walk through fire to have you back here on this earth, i love you Z Until we meet again!
I hope Zach knew how much he meant to everyone that knew him. The most caring person and the best kind of friend anyone could have. An absolute ray of sunshine wherever he went. He was like a brother to me and it's going to be incredibly hard without him. My memories of him are going to stay in my mind for as long as I live. I love you Zach, till we meet again.
Zach was the most genuine, fun, and kind hearted person I've ever met. He was so full of life and was always wanting to do something with his friends. Whether that was getting food together at 2 am or going and hitting a bucket of golf balls together at mulligans. Playing video games and pulling an all night together or just having deep and fun conversations. I'm truly grateful to have known him and even more grateful to have been as close as I was with him. There was never a dull moment around Zach. The bestest friend anyone could hope for. Like another brother to me. Can't wait to see you again.
Zach was one of my best friends from 7th grade forward. He's the type of friend that grown ups tell you to have when you're a little kid growing up. My two birthdays outside of high school, Zach was the only person to call me and he called me right after 12am to tell me. Truly a great friend, that never let anything dampen his spirits. I hope he knew how much he meant to me and so many others.
Zach was one of my first friends when I moved to south Jordan. I met him in 4th grade. I can still remember his frosted spiked hair, big goofy ears, and giant smile. He grew up to be a charming stud we all looked up too. I will never forget that sweet guy. Seems like yesterday you were checking out my new apartment and celebrating with me. You will be missed brother. I love you.
zach is one of the kindest and goofiest kids i’ve ever met. his laugh and smile could light up any room he walked into and the feelings of happiness he brought were always contagious. i always looked forward to his hugs and the random conversations we had like bonding over suicideboys sophomore year after hanging out for the first time. everyone loves him so much and i hope he knows that, wherever he may be. i love and miss you zach.. cheers to your amazing life that has touched so many <3
Zach was definitely one of the sweetest people I had met. He was so genuine and kind to me every interaction I had with him. He went out of his way to create a friendship with me instead of just thinking of me as one of his friends girlfriend. We had amazing conversations and he helped me through a lot of struggles I had in that time. I am so sorry for your loss. Zach will be missed deeply.
I had a lot of classes with Zach growing up, I remember always calling him Jack Frost because he had his tips frosted blonde in his hair. He was the sweetest boy ever and the life of the party in every class. I was in Disney World recently eating a cream cheese pretzel and Zach told me that “I knew what was good in this world, they are almost as good as the jalapeño ones.” His humor and smile was the best. Zach is in my prayers.
I met Zach in middle school in the 7th grade. We became really good friends because well, we shared a name! We would give eachother grief constantly about who spelled their name the right way. I miss those days a lot. Since graduating and moving to Texas I had t kept in touch with Zach as much until a few months ago when we had a really long conversation about both our dreams in life, and where we wanted to see ourselves in 10 years. Lemme tell you, Zach could accomplish anything he set his mind too. He was a great kid and he will be missed by every single person he has ever talked too. Zach was someone who you always wanted to be around, and I fully believe that he is doing the same thing in a better place. Enjoy getting to jam out with Mac Miller buddy. I love and miss ya, wnd I know we will see eachother again soon. ❤️
Zach was one of the kindest people I've had the pleasure of meeting. He just had such a warm and welcoming heart. I'm so grateful he was able to be apart of my life, and he will be so incredibly missed. I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you Zach for all the memories. He forever and always is going to be so loved by everyone <3
Josh & Nicole, you & your families are in our prayers & thoughts!!!! We are in St George until tonight, but our thoughts are with you, and our hearts ache for you as you mourn the loss of Zack. I only met him a couple of times through Nicole, and it was obvious what a great, sweet kid Zach was. May God bless you with the strength, comfort, faith & understanding to get you through the difficult moments. I can only imagine the number of lives Zach touched. He will live on in your hearts forever!! Sending you lots of love during this difficult time.!!
Blessings and condolences to Zacs family and friends. I'm related by marriage through Zacs uncle, Alex Summerhays and my sister, and am thinking of all of you and our wonderful family. I love you all. I can't imagine the loss your feeling. Sympathies.
In Loving Memory
