Zachary Ryan Thomas

Zachary Ryan Thomas — beloved son, partner, and brother — died on March 12, 2021, at the age of 41. Zach was born in Austin, Texas March 12, 1980 to Kendra Thomas and Ransom Kennicott. He was a scholar, a talented musician, and a longtime chef. He was loyal, smart, funny, honest, caring, and thoughtful. Zach truly had a larger than life personality that captured your heart. That’s why he had so many friends with differing personalities. He was a terrific son, adoring big brother, a loving uncle, and a master of torment to many beloved cousins. He excelled in school, cooking fabulous meals, taking too long to get ready, and using his long arms to give hugs, kisses, and cuddling you. Zach had his own sense of style, designed by the fashion house Fruit of the Loom. His black single pocket t-shirt and impeccable hair was a signature look usually paired with skinny jeans. Zach earned a master’s degree in English (literature) from Arizona State University and was looking forward to pursuing a PhD in film studies. He loved to play and watch live music, eat Southern cooking (especially Texas-style barbecue), read philosophy and theory, look up at the stars and planets, watch sports and standup comedy, play classic video games. He had a giant soft spot in his heart for cats, especially Bart and Virginia. Zach brought so much warmth and light to everyone in his life. He was one of a kind. Zach will be dearly missed and never forgotten. Zach is survived by his mother, Kendra; his sister, Avery, her husband, Jeremy, and their son, Bowie; partner Kimberly: his stepfather, Tom Talkington and stepmother, Jamie; his father, Rans; and a gaggle of aunts, uncles, cousins and close family friends. A service will be held on Thursday, March 18, at 1:00 p.m. at the chapel at Nalley-Pickle Welch Funeral Home in Big Spring, Texas. A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Tempe, Arizona. Donations can be made in Zach’s name to Bat World Sanctuary in Texas.

Richardson Funeral Home, Tempe, Arizona and Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home, Big Spring, Texas are each compassionately serving the Thomas family.

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