James Nicholas Zannis

Nick was born in western Birmingham, AL on November 13, 1986. As a small child, he collected vacuum cleaners and trash cans, but he soon became a good chess player, an encyclopedia of military history, and a collector of fine pens.

As he got older, he grew a love of coffee and all of the ways and devices to brew it. Recently, he began experimenting with roasting his own beans.

He moved with his family to the countryside east of Birmingham in 2005, where he continued homeschooling and enjoyed the wide open spaces, the creek, the trails through the forest, raising chickens and bees, and harvesting and selling local honey.

He had two dogs in the country. Shadow and Expresso were loyal companions in turn on his daily sunrise walks. Nick had to mourn Shadow, but Expresso will mourn him.

He worked at Walmart for many years. He enjoyed the job and most of all the community of friends and co-workers he had there.

He had some extra challenges in life, but by the grace of God, he had a sturdy father, an invincible mother, and many other loving friends and family. His father taught him to work hard, chop wood, and handle his responsibilities. His mother patiently taught him academics, wisdom for life, and the truth of God’s Word. He enjoyed games and building campfires with his nieces and nephews.

He was intensely loyal, and his laughter was loud and silly. He also enjoyed his community at Shades Mountain Community Church. He was a faithful member of his Tuesday morning bible study, and recently his Tuesday night small group.

He loved to make plans, and envision the future as it might be, from a cabin on the hill near his home to a trip to visit Greece to see his ancestral homeland. Neither of those things happened, but he thoroughly enjoyed the planning.

He also looked forward to his eternal home, with Jesus Christ, his Creator, Sustainer, and Savior. That plan has come to pass.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim & Margaret Zannis of Birmingham, his father, Peter James Victor “Vic” Zannis, and grandmother Sara Latham of Birmingham.

He is survived by his mother Sara, brother JC (Lindsay) Zannis, sister Rachel (Chris) Callahan, nephews Eli Zannis and Noah Callahan, nieces Ali Callahan, Tessa Zannis, and Andi Zannis, aunts Stephanie Morris, Gayle Yester, Tena Payne, and Chris Ann Wingo, uncle Steve Latham, great aunt Marie Zannis, special family friend Patricia Montabana, a church family at Shades Mountain Community Church in Hoover, AL, a work family at Walmart in Leeds, AL, and many other cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Shades Mountain Community Church, followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments in the chapel.