Zachary Stephens Alford

It is with deepest sorrow we announce that Zachary “Zach” Stephens Alford, age 42, a beloved fiancé, father, son, brother, family member, and friend passed away on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 after a sudden illness.

He was born in Lexington, South Carolina on April 13, 1979 to Donna Schneider Alford and Roy “Steve” Stephens Alford IV. After graduating from Lexington High School, Zach began his career cutting trees as the owner and operator of To The Top Tree Service.

Growing up on the family farm instilled in Zach a great love for the outdoors. He was an avid hunter, hunting deer, wild boar, turkeys, and fishing. He won several hunting awards hog baying in Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia. He was also very passionate about traveling to assist with hurricane clean up. He shared many of these activities with his fiancé, Ashley and his four-legged companion, Cash.

Zach supported the Outdoor Dream Foundation by taking children hunting and making their outdoor dreams comes true. He was a Christian man, loved God, his family, and his friends and will be dearly missed by all that knew him.

He is survived by his children, Wyatt and Blythe; parents, Donna and Steve Alford; grandmother, Grace Mellette (Russ); step grandmother, Emily Alford; sister, Jennifer Alford Lever; adopted brother, Jai Hicks (Mary Beth); loving fiancé, Ashley Welch and her children, Dalton and Colton; aunt, Alice Schneider Camens (Marc) and aunt, Bobbi Buff; uncles, George W. Schneider, Charlie Alford, Mokey Buff, Waldo Buff; nephews, Ryan and Josh Lever; cousins, Taylor and Tyler Schneider, Gregg and Trinity Schneider, Bryam Frick, Caroline “Buffy” Buff, Allison Buff Black, Waldo Buff Jr., Chauntee Hutchins, Sarah Alford Ponds, Jeremiah Alford, and his lifelong best friend, Jay Emory. Zach leaves behind his beloved dogs, Cash and Sky; pet raccoon, Slick and numerous other hunting dogs.

Zach is predeceased by grandparents, Kenneth and Barbara “Bobbie” Schneider, Roy Alford III; uncle, John Gary Schneider and aunt, Helen Schneider.

A memorial service will be held at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. with visitation to follow. A Celebration of Life will be held at Schneider Farms on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. Honorary Pallbearers are Morgan Kaigler, Jai Hicks, Jay Emory, Ricky Campbell, Glenn Williams, Bruce Gates, Daniel Sawyer Jr., Daniel Sawyer Sr., Robert Christofoli, and Jake Loiacano.

We would especially like to thank Dr. C. Phillip Toussaint, Lexington County EMS, and the staff of the Surgical ICU at Lexington Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Outdoor Dream Foundation, PO Box 802, Anderson, SC 29621, Joy Mission Church, 72 Creek Road, Chapin, SC 29063 and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, 1130 St. Peter’s Road, Lexington, SC 29072.