1991
2013
Zachary Demko, a 22 year old Tennessee/Texas man living in Longview, died on May 22, 2012 after a long fought battle with a rare form of cancer.
Zachary was, most importantly, a follower of Jesus Christ, and firmly believed that whatever his path, Christ was in control. He is described by those who knew him best as a sweet, charming, fun loving guy who brought joy to those he knew. While he was shy at first, once you got to know him, he was a pure joy to be around. Zachary was well loved and respected by friends and family and his professors. He was a student at Tennessee Technological University where he was studying Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation this summer, Zachary was scheduled to enter Letourneau University where he wanted to obtain a Masters in Bio-medical Engineering.
The last year of Zachary's life was a difficult one. Fighting cancer and finishing his undergraduate degree. Through it all, Zachary maintained a positive outlook on life. Never giving up the hope he had through Christ Jesus. Even though he is now passed on, he will leave behind a legacy of hope and struggle. A legacy that lets others know, even when dire situations come about, there is a hope and a comfort that you can turn to. A legacy that lets others know of the comfort and joy to be found in the arms of Jesus.
Zachary is survived by his parents, Jonathan and Carol, who are both graduates of Texas A&M University. He is also survived by his brothers Andrew and Jonathan. Andrew is a graduate student at Texas A&M, and Jonathan is currently working in Florida. Blythe Warlick, Zachary's grandmother, is a long time resident of College Station and currently still lives here. His grandmother Mary Demko lives in New York City. Zachary also leaves behind 10 cousins, 5 uncles, 3 aunts, and several friends across Tennessee and Texas.
A graduation celebration from earth to heaven will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 25, at Memorial Chapel in College Station, Texas. Interment will follow at Providence Cemetery in Burleson County, Texas. A second memorial is being planned at the university he attended in Cookeville, Tennessee later this summer.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family is asking for donations to Mission Waco www.missionwaco.org and a scholarship fund to Tennessee Technological University.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
June 22, 2014
Renee Kelley
You are still on my mind.
June 10, 2013
Robin Skiles
Carol, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Zachary from homeschooling when he and my Jonathan were much younger. He was shy but so sweet. May Jesus comfort you during this time.
June 4, 2013
Joe Stephens
Zack,
I never expected you to beat me home. I feel a profound sense of sadness because I know that you had plans for the future. Yet, I also know that this life is just the dressing room for the next, and that God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes. You always watched out for me at the pool, but now you have joined that great cloud of witnesses watching over those of us who have yet to finish our race. We will meet again.
Joe
May 31, 2013
Barbara Wright
Carol, I am very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
May 28, 2013
Angela Achenbach
My heart is broken for you. I want you to know that I am praying for you. May God pour out His grace on you during this difficult time.
May 28, 2013
Renee Kelley
Carol, I am in prayer for you that God will bless you with the strength that this must be taking. Zachary is in a far better place than we are. He knew the love of God and is experiencing and rejoicing in it.
Love abides.
May 28, 2013
Brenda Ellis
Carol, Johnathon, Johathon and Andrew. I am so sorry to hear about Zachary. I have always enjoyed knowing your family and you have been and will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
May 28, 2013
Pam Howard
Carol and family, I'm so very sorry to hear about Zachary. My thoughts and prayers are with you, during this sad time. May the comfort of our Heavenly Father, hold you near in the days ahead.
May 28, 2013
Hope Humphrey
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. I cannot imagine what you and your family must be going through. I know that your faith is strong and you trust in the promises of the Lord; but also know that your friends are there to help you carry the load. My prayers and hugs are with you all.
May 28, 2013
Andrea Smith
I am so sorry for your loss, I didn't realize he was sick, You are all in my prayers.
Love, Andrea
May 28, 2013
Lesa Copeland
Carol and family, My prayers are with you during this very difficult time. May Gods grace be there to comfort you. I will be praying for you and your family during the days to come.
May 27, 2013
Dear Jonathan, Carol, Jonathan and Andrew,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss of Zachary. The photographs you posted were a joy to view in celebration of Zachary's life. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Jennifer (Mendocha Phinney), Joshua, Rebecca, Sarah, and Susanna
May 27, 2013
We were so sorry to hear about Zachary-been praying for him for a long time. We miss you in bible study-our "family " there is very important to us. We are praying for God's mercy and healing for your family.
Randy and Jennifer Gilreath
May 27, 2013
Dear Carol and family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your wonderful son, Zachary. Deepest sympathy, Carol Husband
May 26, 2013
Boloye Gomero
I prayed for Zachary when I heard you were going to Vanderbilt. Although I don't know your family, I am glad I was asked to pray. I look forward to formally meeting Zachary in heaven someday.
May 26, 2013
Sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Alvin and Sharon Ellis
May 26, 2013
Brian and I were so sorry to hear about Zachary's passing, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. He was a special young man, and a wonderful example of a Christian, he lived his faith. Brian and Karen Holmes (Oak Ridge, Tn.)
May 26, 2013
Pateyn Christopher
I am so sorry for your loss. Zach was such a sweet boy and he will be dearly missed. I pray for healing and comfort for your family.
May 26, 2013
Chuck Yost
Dear Carol, Jonathan, Jonathan and Andrew,
My deepest condolences to all of you. I always enjoyed having Zachary in band, and appreciated his willingness to learn and serve. The photos of him practicing in the Photo Gallery brought back a flood of good memories, and I am honored the Lord allowed me to be his teacher.
Janie and I cannot fathom the loss you must feel, but be assured that you are in our thoughts and prayers. May the Lord wrap his arms around you and grant you peace.
Love,
Chuck and Janie Yost
May 26, 2013
Marva & Roger Cotton
Our deepest condolences for you and your family. May the Lord wrap his loving arms around and hold you ever so close in the days ahead. Our daughter, Alicia, went to be with the Lord on April 23, 2013. She died in my arms, in her own bed, only 4 days after being discharged from Vanderbilt ICU to U.T. Hospice , so I know your pain. My prayer is that God will comfort you with all the precious memories, as he has me.
May 26, 2013
Randy James
Dear Jonathan and Family,
My deepest condolences and may God be with you in this most difficult of times. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
May 26, 2013
Benita Albert
Dear Carol, Jonathan, Jonathan and Andrew,
Zachary was a special light in our lives. I have many fond memories not only of him as the cute little "Demko" across the street, but also, I was blessed to be his Calculus teacher and to share in the brilliance of his mind and his love of learning. This world has lost a promising scientist and a wonderful Christian young man. He is the example for how we should all live our lives, full of hopes and dreams but also ready for our Lord's embrace at any moment in time.
Your Montreal Ln. neighbors miss you and at this time would love to be able to hug you all, just as I was privileged to hug Zachary only 2.5 months ago. Our prayers go out to you.
May 25, 2013
Bill Stone
Mr. & Mrs. Demko, Andrew, and Jonathan: my deepest condolences to you all. I was shocked to hear about Zach's home going. Be assured of my thoughts and prayers for you all. It was a blessing to know and spend time with Zach, Andrew, and Jonathan at First Baptist Church Cookeville where I had the privilege to be their student pastor. I admired Zach's courageous battle against cancer and his zeal for life lived to the fullest. May God's perfect love, peace, and comfort fill each of your hearts now and in the coming months. In Christian love, Bill Stone
May 25, 2013
Jeb Stuart
I offer my most sincere condolences to Zach's family. Zach was a remarkable individual to know. I'm deeply saddened by his lost, but my hope rests in his future with the Father. No words can offer the comfort that is much needed, but I pray that God brings it to you. Zach's faith and courage are an inspiration to those blessed to know him. May God bring you peace in this difficult time.
May 25, 2013
Carol, I'm praying for you and all of your family. May you all feel God's comforting presence in your lives.
Mikki-TX
May 25, 2013
Dawn Klawinsky
In this life on earth, Zachary was surrounded by love. There were arms that reached out to hold him when needed. There were friends who loved being in his presence. And, when he went to paradise, he saw Jesus face to face. Carol, Jonathan, brothers, family, and friends--we weep with you and are praying for your peace and comfort. Jesus bears our burdens and is acquainted with our grief. Within love to you all in this time. The Klawinsky's--Steve, Dawn, Jarrod, and Ben.
May 25, 2013
Jeff Marquis
Zach was a treasure to have as a student in class. His love of the Lord and complete reliance on Him literally shone, as he was an encouragement to all who were blessed to know him ... including students, staff and faculty at TTU. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, as we celebrate Zach's eternal "graduation" to be with the Father.
May 25, 2013
David & Brenda Folz
My dear friends and Study Buddies, what a joy to have known Zac and have him visit our class. Christ filled his life and all could see HIS light shining through Zachary. May God's "peace that surpasses all understanding" surround and comfort you knowing that Zac is not lost ... he has just gone home.
LOVE & PRAYERS,
May 25, 2013
Jane Costello
Dear Demko Family,
Yesterday morning Marcie sent me a message from Madrid to share this very sad news. She has such fond memories of Zach from ORHS swim team and high school, he was such a kind young man. Our entire family is thinking of you, we all knew Zach and we were so shocked to hear this news. Thoughts and prayers are being sent your way. Much love, Jane Costello
May 24, 2013
Edwin Griggs
To Zach's family:
My heart grieves with you in this time of great loss. Zach was a joy to have in class. His radiance was obvious. He exhibited a marked testimony of faith. I was so impressed with his plans for continued studies at LeTourneau. Relying only on The Lord he knew can we deal with his death at this stage of his life. May each of you receive a special outpouring of God's grace.
May 24, 2013
Lesly Hendershot
Carol, Jonathan, Jonathan and Andrew, I'm speechless, nothing I can say will change the loss of Zach. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you at this time.
May 24, 2013
Shane & Candace West
We and our SS class are praying for you all during this time. Know that you all are loved and prayed for.
May 24, 2013
Butch Crouch
Johnathon,Carol,I have no words that can ease your pain and loss ,but I do know God is bigger than we are and he is our only hope in a fallen world ,Please know that I will miss Zach and his great smile and that great Demko sense of humor that he shared with his Dad,I will be praying with you guys in the coming days and months as you walk through this journey of grief in your lives and hope that you can find a way to turn mourning into joy.
May 24, 2013
Johnathon,Carol,I have no words that can ease your pain and loss ,but I do know God is bigger than we are and he is our only hope in a fallen world ,Please know that I will miss Zach and his great smile and that great Demko sense of humor that he shared with his Dad,I will be praying with you guys in the coming days and months as you walk through this journey of grief in your lives and hope that you can find a way to turn mourning into joy.
May 24, 2013
Mike Gouge
Jonathan and Carol: God's blessings on your family. We know God's house has many rooms (Jn 14)and our Lord has prepared one for his son Zachary.
May 24, 2013
Karen Perry
Carol, I am so sorry for your loss. No words are enough to say how sorry I am for you and your family! My prayers are with you all!
May 24, 2013
Debra Haynes
Carol, Jonathon, Jonathon & Andrew,
I am So sorry. I know you all will miss Zachary so very much. I will be praying for you all.
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