Christian "Cj" John Zerbe

On September 18, 2022, United States Marine Corporal Christian John Zerbe, known to his family and friends as “CJ,” passed away while stationed in Brazzaville, Africa at the age of 21. CJ was born to John and Diane Zerbe on August 22, 2001. He grew up in La Porte, Texas with his older brother, Harrison, and his two older sisters, Kara and Katherine. They were thick as thieves and the best of friends. CJ is survived by his loving grandparents, Darlene and Steve Miller, John Zerbe, Sr., Joy Peters, and Kenneth and Nancy Harrison. He leaves behind his aunt, uncle, and cousins: Wendy, John, Kelli and Johnna. CJ recently proposed to his adoring fiancé and love of his life, Esmeralda Torres.

CJ spent much of his childhood at the gym as a gymnast for 9 years, competing in countless meets and winning numerous awards. When he wasn’t flipping at the gym or using the brick mailbox as a pommel horse, he loved boating with his family and friends trying every crazy stunt behind the boat he could or swimming at the Gonzales house.

CJ attended La Porte high school where he transitioned his flipping skills to the diving board breaking the school record his freshman year. He also earned MVP in water polo as the goalie. Besides his athletic abilities, CJ was musically talented, first playing the euphonium and then leading the marching band as the drum major. Known for motivating, encouraging, and helping others, he earned the Directors Choice Award for outstanding achievement in leadership as well as Mr. Citizen and Mr. Personality. For fun, CJ spent weekends cutting up and hanging with his best friends, Logan, Braeden, Austin, and AJ.

At the age of 17, CJ made the courageous and honorable decision to serve his country in the US Marines. In boot camp, he was the Guide and Platoon Honorman for Platoon 1030 and earned the Chesty Puller Award as the Honor Graduate. After completing rifleman school, CJ was stationed in Washington DC as a comptroller before deciding to become a Marine Embassy Guard where he was then stationed in Brazzaville, Africa. His Marine brothers described him as the Marine they aspired to be.

CJ lived life to the fullest and left his mark on this world. He touched the lives of everyone he met. He loved to make people laugh, stood up for the bullied, cheered up the sad, and encouraged those who needed it. He was a beautiful soul and will be deeply missed.