"20 years - I am sure that you, your mom, and your grandma are reunited and sending us messages as we journey forward. Thinking of you sweet and kind nephew."
In loving memory of
Specialist Zachary H. Thomas-Johnson
October 24, 1982 - January 23, 2004
SPECIALIST ZACHARY THOMAS-JOHNSON BAUMHOLDER, Germany - Specialist Zachary H. Thomas-Johnson, 21, a former resident of Muscatine, died in a car accident in Baumholder, Germany on Friday, January 23, 2004. Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Rev. Chris Lary of the First Baptist Church will officiate. Military Rites and Honor Guard will be provided by the Iowa National Guard. Honorary Pallbearers will be Anthony Bardes, Cameron Chamberlin, Jason Chamberlin, George Hadjiyannis, Megan Hahn, Kelly Robbins, Keith Kohlmeyer, Michael Martz, Brent Nelson, Jeremy Nelson and Calvin Rowe. Burial will be in the Soldiers Section of Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Zach's family in care of Bonnee Cassedy, Zachary was born on October 24, 1982, in Muscatine, the son of Bonnee Cassedy and step-son of Willie Johnson Jr. While growing up in Muscatine, Zachary participated in the Awana Program at First Assembly of God Church. He attended Washington Elementary and Central Middle Schools and always participated in the YMCA Soccer programs. Zachary was a resident of Muscatine until moving to Sanibel, Florida, in 1998. Zachary was an active member of Sanibel Community Church and attended Cypress Lake High School 1998-2000. He played soccer and lacrosse and was a member of the Mohawks Lacrosse Team. Zach also traveled to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales as a member of the United States Student Ambassador program the summer of 1999. Upon moving to South Berwick, Maine, Zachary attended Marshwood High School and was a member of the Marshwood Hawks Lacrosse Team. He was an active member of the Spruce Creek Church in Kittery, Maine, and truly enjoyed his church fellowship activities. Zachary enlisted in the United States Army and participated in ROTC activities until his graduation from Marshwood High School in 2001. After graduation from basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Zachary joined Alpha Company, 40th Engineers, Baumhaulder, Germany. He had just returned to Germany after a year of deployment in Baghdad, Iraq, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and was preparing to return to the United States to be stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. Zachary is survived by his mother, Bonnee Cassedy and step-father, Willie Johnson Jr.; his grandparents, Donna Cameron Hodge and Edward K. Cassedy, and Olealon Johnson; one great-grandmother, Luella Talkington: and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Willie H. Johnson Sr.
Tributes
"-Zach- The "missing you" rarely lessens and I think of you often. You continue to have a resounding influence in myriad ways- which I'm sure you know- but meanwhile, I'm still standing in the aisle with itchy feet and fading smile."
"Im sitting here many years after Thomas passed away and still think of him daily. He was a great person who touched my life more than he could ever know. He was a very loyal person, a strong willed person and had a huge heart. I hope his spirit will live on in my son Zachary Thomas Aarstad. We all love you and miss you Thomas. SPC Aarstad"
"For those of you who knew SPC Thomas like I did, you would know that he always said one particular phrase. I was never really sure what he meant by it because he would say, â??Whateverâ??s clever,â? no matter the mood or situation. He would say it when he was in a good mood: Zach, you want to go to the beach? â??Whateverâ??s clever.â? He would say it when he was mad. SPC Thomas you have to work late! â??Whateverâ??s clever.â? So by saying this maybe he knew that everything has a purpose. His being placed on this earth was for a reason, and his being taken from us for a higher cause, so in his words: â??Whateverâ??s cleverâ? This is what I wrote and read at the service that we had here in Iraq where I was proud to have Zach serve as one of my squad members. Sgt Stone,Chris"
"i was good friends with him ,we where in the same platoon and sationed together . i will miss him and never forget him for he is one o the few that wnet to war with me and i could depend on in time of need."
"God has called him to be with him now that he had completed his mission here on earth, he wil never be forgotten."
"Zach just a note to thank you for your service to our country. You sound like a wonderful young man who had so much to offer in life. You knew what you wanted and went for it. God has called you home now. May you rest in peace. HUGS, Bonney/PAM/Adrian"
"I'll miss you, till we meet againg. You probably didn't know how proud i was when you told me you was going to join the army, even affter i argued for you to join the airforce and take some MOS that you could use after the millitary. The world is a lot worse off for your passing. and I could think off many more that should have gone first. Myself for one. I'll keep you in my prayers Farewell friend"
"Bonnee, Please accept my deepest sympathies and condolences for you and your family. Zach will continue to stay in my prayers just as your family will. I, like you, do not post much either, but if you want to talk, please e-mail me."
"I can not even begin to express my sorrow and condolences for this loss. Zach was the most genuine person that I knew in high school. He always had a smile, and a unbelievably positive attitude. I had always hoped that our duties would, one day, make our paths cross again. Zach was a good friend and shall be sorely missed. Until we meet again in at the right hand of God. You were a true American Hero, Zach"
"Please accept my sincere condolences in the loss of your son. I will keep you and your family in my heart and in my prayers."
"Bonnee, my deapest and most heartfelt condolences to you and your family in this time of great sadness. Loosing a child is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do and as such I know the pain you must be feeling. Words are so empty at a time like this. All of us at Army moms are proud to have know Zach through you. We will always be there for you and in the meanwhile know that many are lifting you and your family up in prayer. It sounds as though Zach lead a rich full life touching all who came in contact with his smile and zest for life. A life that has that kind of impact is the richest one of all.... its not the length of the race but rather how you run it that matters. God Bless you all, Bev"
"Zach is a great person with a big heart. He always knew how to make people smile. I am so glad to have known him and I am sorry we lost touch. He will be greatly missed."
"I just wanted to let Zach's family and friends know that it was a privilege to know and work with him. He was a friend of mine who lend out his hand to help me out without hesitation. All of us here will miss him dearly and never forget what he contributed to our unit and to each and every one of us here in this Company. I'm personally thankful and grateful. To Zach's mother,he was a great soldier and even better friend. May God bless you all. Inspired, SPC Young"
"Zack was awesome. Always smiled, laughed, and joked. I had endless laughs with Zack throughout High School. I was planning on seeing him again some time after college, or when he got out of the forces. I am sure I still will, it will just be a little delayed. Miss you Zack, but the memories are here with me like yesterday's."
"Zach was a man among men and a great friend. I feel bad that I let our friendship fall to the way side and now that Zach has gone to a better place and he well always be rembered in my heart where his friendship well be forever. I well miss him every day."
"Bonnee, My deepest sympathies in the loss of such a wonderful son. My heart hurts with you, for I was very fond of Zach, enjoyed his visits with Jeremiah and the other boys. So much laughter when he was around, just a delightful young man. May God hold you in His arms and comfort you as often as you need Him for as long as you need His special comfort. Many prayers, Sharon Thomas (Jeremiah's Mom)"
"Zach is one of the most amazing people I have ever known. He was the first guy I was ever in love with, and will be the last one I ever forget. I have so many wonderful memories of him and the times we spent together. He was so caring and always smiling. I am so proud of him and will continue to think of him daily. I know that everyone of us are better off for having him in our lives. The best that anyone can do now is pray for him and hope that many years down the road from now, we will get to see him again."
"I would like to express my deepest sympathy in the loss of your son, my love and my friend. I actually can't find words to describe my sorrow. Zach was such an important and special person to me. Because of him I know how it feels to love somebody with all my heart. I'm so glad that he was a part of my life and I'm sure he will always be, in my heart and thoughts. I miss him so much, especially that smile on his face that he always had. No one could make me smile like him. I still can't believe that I will never talk to him again, jokeing around and just having a great time with him. May he find peace wherever he is right now! I will keep him and our memories in my heart forever. Sincerly, Sabrina P.S.: I tried to find out your phone number or address the whole time! Please e-mail me, I would really like to talk to you!!! "
"Sabrina, Please contact me at the above email address. I tried to email you and it bounced back to me. Zach's Mom"
"Zach was a born romantic. Everything he ever did came directly from his heart. I still have the flowers he gave me on my 16th birthday 5 years ago. He found me no matter how far we both traveled. I miss him more than anyone will know."
"Bonnee, we express our deepest symathy in the loss of your son. Our prayers will be with you in this time of sorrow."
"From the command group of 40th Eng Bn Rear-Detachment, We would like to express our deepest sympathy in the lost of your son and our brother in arms Spc Thomas, Zachary."
"I would like to express my deepest sympathy in the loss of your son. SPC Thomas was a great soldier and a great person. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time."
"My condolences to the family of Specialist Thomas. His loss is a tragic one. Though I did not know him well, his passing has affected us all. For he was a part of the ARMY family as well. May he now find peace in heaven."
"Dear Family and Friends of Zachary Thomas, my prayers and deepest sympathy are with you. We are all saddened from the tragic loss of our friend, and brother-in-arms, Specialist Zachary Thomas. I am the First Sergeant for A Company, 40th Engineer Battalion, the company Zachary served in. As his First Sergeant, I am charged with teaching and leading the soldiers in the company. I must confess that Zachary was my mentor. Zachary's optomistic view on life taught me to be a better person, and a better First Sergeant. His memories will forever be with me. May God bless and comfort you now and always. 1SG Donald G. Sparks"
"Dear Family of SPC Thomas, Zachary I am SFC Palmer. I was SPC Thomas's Platoon Seregeant while he was stationed with me in Germany and while deployed to Iraq Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc Thomas was not only a soldier of mine, but a friend and like a son as all my soldiers are. Iam sorry for your lose, but the U.S Army and his platoon also lost a good soldier and a good friend. He was a soldier that you could count on and a soldier that could always make you laugh no matter what was going on. I will miss Zachary Thomas. And again Iam sorry for your lose. God Bless you and remember he will always be with us. Iam truely sorry I could not be there myself. God bless. SFC Palmer, Gerald R. Jr. A&O Platoon Sergeant A Company 40th Engineer Battalion P.S If you can please E-mail I have some pictures I would like to send you of Zachary while deployed to Iraq."
"Dear Family, I am Spc. Peters, I was one of Zach's squad members. Zach was like a big brother to me, and to everyone else in the platoon. If anyone was having a rough time for whatever reason Zach was there to cheer them up. Zach always had more bounce in his step than everyone else. Zach was one of the best people that I've ever had the pleasure to meet, and I'm glad that I did. Zach will be sadly missed by me and the rest of his Squad, and Platoon. Sincerly Spc. Peters, William Aco 40th En Bn "