Zachary Bryan McMahan

Zachary Bryan McMahan, born May 20, 1993, passed peacefully on September 23, 2024. Zachary was born, raised, and lived all of his 31 years in Elizabethtown, KY. Zach, as he preferred to be called, graduated from Elizabethtown High School in 2012, where he was a manager for the track, cross country, and basketball teams and was voted Most School Spirt for his support of the Panthers. After graduation, Zach worked at E’town Swim and Fitness for several years and looked forward to greeting the members and doing whatever he could to help out.

Helping out was what Zach always did. Whether it was at school, work, or home Zach was always dependable, never complained, and always pushed himself past the breaking point. Born with Cystic Fibrosis, Zach was more limited than most children, but was filled with joy from day one. Stoic and shy, Zach was quiet even around his family but loved them all dearly. He called his parents by their first name because even as a small child, he thought it was funny to call them Dana and Kelly instead of Mom and Dad. And Zach did his best to keep his older brother Daniel in line, sometimes acting more like a second mother than a little brother.

Zach didn't travel much but when he did it was for places that he looked forward to immensely. New York City and a Make a Wish trip to Washington DC where he met President Bush were two of his favorite trips. He even went all the way to California to the opening of the LA County Fire Fighter Museum based in part on his favorite show Emergency 51, where he got to meet the cast. In his last few years, Zach even saw the country by joining an online group of virtual truck drivers across the globe in American Truck Simulator. His favorite place to visit was always his Mimi and Papaw's house to be with his Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins no matter if it was a regular Sunday dinner, a birthday, or the over the top Christmas celebrations that were the highlight of the year. He loved music and attended many concerts of his favorite bands multiple times over the years. He had a vast collection of Halo Lego sets that he would put together while he watched TV with his mom and the family dog, first Zoey and more recently Abby.

It's impossible to sum up the love and spirit of anyone in such a small space but Zach was the heart and soul of his family and will be missed immensely. Though his illness held him back in many of the activities of his peers, Zach never complained and led a rich and meaningful life with his loved ones.

Zach was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert (Bobby) McMahan, Alpha Joel Miller Squyres; aunts, Peggy Squyres Griswald, Patrease Squyres; and uncle, Earl H. Squyres, Jr.

He is survived by his parents, Kelly and Dana McMahan of Elizabethtown, KY; one brother Daniel Bradley of Louisville, KY; grandmother, Barbara Jean McMahan; three aunts, Kim (Patrick) Black, Karen (John) Willmoth, Mary Joan Miramontez; and many cousins that loved him dearly.

Visitation will be held at Brown Funeral Home in Elizabethtown on Friday, September 27, from 4 PM to 7 PM. He will be laid to rest privately at Elizabethtown Memorial Gardens.

Zach was given the gift of life by the incredible doctors, nurses, and staff at UofL Health - Jewish Hospital. While he and his family wished for more, the 18 months that his double lung transplant in February of 2023 gave them were meaningful and a gift that could never be repaid to his donor family. To help other families who are struggling with one of the most difficult times imaginable, Zach's family ask that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to:

Kim’s Dream This money goes directly to assisting families with critically ill loved ones while they are waiting for the gift of life.

Give.louisville.edu/KimsDream