Zachary Michael Pepper

Zachary M. Pepper, age 25, of Westerville, OH, died at OSU Medical Center of natural causes and entered heaven on Sunday, May 23. He was born on August 14, 1995, in Hollywood, FL. Graduate of Olentangy Orange High School, Zachary received a prior degree and was pursuing a degree in Computer Science from the Ohio State University. Zachary was a brilliant and gifted student whose teachers always commented that he was an unforgettable shining light. Preceded in death by aunt DeAnne M. Pepper. Survived by parents, Kent and Victoria (Hauser) Pepper; siblings, Elle, Chad and Katelyn Pepper; girlfriend and love of his life, Kristen Nguyen and their dog, Appa; grandparents, Ret. Col. Jack C. Hauser Sr. and Diana W. Hauser of Chesterfield, MO., Edward J. Pepper and Helen E. Pepper of Plattsburgh, NY.; uncles, Jack C. Hauser Jr., Keith E. Pepper and Greg M. Pepper. Zach also had many relatives across the country that loved him.

Zach was born with a brilliant mind that never shut down, which was a blessing and a challenge. He excelled in his academics, his teachers gave high marks on everything, except organization, but that's part of what made him who he is. From a young age Zachary loved music; he played the cello, taught himself the saxophone, the piano, and drums. Playing guitar and singing was where his light shone like the star he is. Zach loved to teach himself instruments and the guitar was no different. He began around 10 years old. From playing music and singing on the lawn at college, playing open mic nights with his Dad, or just strumming away in a chair on his own, his beautiful talent was ever present. Music was so important to Zach as it filled much of most of his days. He appreciated so many genres of music and listened to it all! As a preschooler it was Barney and friends tunes or listening to his mom sing songs she made up for him. Zachary regularly attended 80's band concerts with his father, and had his face painted around 6 years old for a Kiss concert.

He grew into his own style and preference loving Indie artists. Zach's favorite music artists were many, including The Weeknd, Mumford and Sons, Bon Iver, Frank Ocean, Beach House, Tame Impala, Interpol, Sufjan Stevens, Alex G, Japanese Breakfast, Hazel English, Clairo, Men I Trust, Kevin Abstract, Kendrick Lamar, Alvvays, The National, Cocteau Twins, Jay Som, Castlebeat, Vansire, Washed Out, Theophilus London, Purity Ring, No Vacation, Local Natives, and Kavinsky. He attended music festivals regularly around Ohio, other states, and even traveled with his great friends to Barcelona, Spain to attend a festival. One festival he was looking forward to, cancelled last year - is Bonnaroo! He actually attended the multi day event 3 times, if I am remembering correctly.

He was in sports from the time he was 3 years old, playing baseball, lacrosse, wrestling, and football. For recreation it was all over the place from a young age: Swimming at The Lakes Club pool, Scooters, his Flying Turtle, his brothers electric scooter, paint ball, air soft guns, and so many other things. He grew up but not out of his love for adventure, with too many things to list them all. From swinging off ropes into water, or jumping the cliffs at a local lake, he was up for it all. In the winter he loved snowboarding. He snowboarded all over Ohio, New York, and Vermont with friends. He had a severe broken ankle needing plates and screws from it but went back on the slopes… He was with the love of his life when this happened.

Zachary was a very good brother to Chad and Elle, always looking up to them. Zachary had a special place in his heart for his little sister, Katelyn, from the day she was born. He loved her and that showed in so many, many ways. As parents, we could not have asked for any more from our dear loving son and as he grew older, his love for us was so visible. He showed his love to us all... His love poured over and it allowed him to find the love of his life, Kristen. We love her and will continue as he will for the rest of our lives. In her beautiful way she captured who he was in the words that follow, we will close with her beautiful comments:

There's no words that would be able to describe or even sum up just how fantastic of a soul Zachary has. Zachary touched every person's life that he ever encountered; he had a way of making everyone he came in contact with feel valued and special whether they were strangers, friends, neighbors, just anyone. Zach was the most intelligent guy I have ever met. He was so well versed and was able to contribute to any topic in conversation; everything from politics to entertainment. I loved his Uncle Jack's Facebook post when he talked about how Zachary could have been anything he wanted to be and he would have done it well, whether it was becoming a doctor, a teacher, a scientist, a music artist, or even the damn president. He truly excelled with anything and everything he put his mind to.

Zachary was also always up for an adventure and so outgoing. He was an avid snowboarder, always wanting to go to the next music festival or concert, going kayaking wherever his friends were, riding around the city on his electric scooter, loved trying new restaurants (although he probably ordered some sort of chicken every time), and finding the best Airbnb's in every city we went to.

Zach was generous. He was always so quick to help whenever he was needed, and even anticipated the needs of others before they knew they needed something; he always wanted to be a helping hand. He was also so open minded in every aspect of life, valuing other people's thoughts and opinions. That quality added to his heart-warming amicability.

Zachary was so very talented, whether you knew it or not. He serenaded his friends and family with his beautiful guitar playing and absolutely stellar voice.

It may be a bit cliché, but Zach truly had a smile that could light up any room (even when he grew out his mustache, it still peaked through). His laugh was also contagious and added to his uniqueness; Zachary Michael Pepper was genuinely one of a kind. The kind of friend, boyfriend, son, brother, cousin, nephew, grandson who is a once in a lifetime kind of guy.

Coolest, friendliest, brightest guy in the whole room....but with the BIGGEST HEART!

Please smile like Zach always did when you think of him. Let the memory of his kind soul be an inspiration throughout your life.

Family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8pm Thursday, June 3, at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 N. High St., where a funeral service will be at 11am Friday. Fully vaccinated individuals do not have to wear a mask while indoors. A livestream of the funeral can be viewed at www.Schoedinger.com . Contributions may be made to the Zachary Pepper Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o the Delaware County Foundation, 737 Enterprise Dr suite a, Lewis Center, OH 43035, in his memory. The family requests that you share a favorite memory of Zach at .