It is with unbelievably heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved 28-year-old Zachary Blake. While he only answered to the self-given name Zach, "AHH-REE!" (for Zachary) exploded from his mouth as a toddler while jumping in piles of leaves, starting his love for the outdoors.
Zach adored being outside, where he was always pushing the boundaries, such as diving to catch a pass before church in his Sunday best, only to rip his pants (and dad getting in trouble for throwing a ball in the first place), or the time he skateboarded off a ramp at the bottom of the neighbor’s long, steep driveway hill, just to be the only one of the 5 cul-de-sac boys with a broken arm by the end. Thankfully he listened to mom’s safety lessons as he got older, but especially during rock climbing, zip-lining, and white water rafting and walked away from those experiences unscathed.
His lifelong love of pushing the boundaries outdoors later led him to his biggest outdoor love: soccer. Zach adored the sport of soccer and quickly became dedicated throughout middle and high school, leading him to numerous awards, including the prestigious Academic All-American Award. Academic scholarships and honors repeatedly flowed Zach's way, but he was more fulfilled by expressing his gifted words on paper, compelling readers to both laugh and cry.
We now cry as we write Zach passed away December 31st in his home in Salt Lake City, UT.
Zach is survived by his parents Paul & Kelly Blake; sister, Allie Blake Berry & brother-in-law, Jesse Berry; maternal grandparents, Karl & Cassa Brodbeck; his aunts and uncles, Catherine (Ross) Agnor, Jim (Amie) Blake, Lisa (Dave) Hood, and numerous beloved cousins.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Paul & Joyce Blake and paternal aunt, Maureen Blake Pereiro.
A memorial service to celebrate Zach's life will be held Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 1pm in the chapel of McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte NC 28210. A reception will follow at the Ballantyne Hotel's Timbers Room at The Lodge, 13015 Ballantyne Corporate Place, Charlotte 28277.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com
