Zach Smith

Cuyahoga Falls: Zach Smith, age 32 years, died unexpectedly on September 15, 2014. Zach was born in Akron but was raised and primarily lived in Cuyahoga Falls. Zach attended Cuyahoga Falls High School and was an important member of the Falls 1999 baseball team who were runners-up in the state tournament, the farthest a Falls baseball team has ever gone in the state tournament. Later that same year, Zach played in the Mickey Mantle World Series in McKinney, Texas with his traveling baseball team, the Boys of Summer . In addition to being a sports nut, Zach was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed any activity that involved being out in mother nature. He especially enjoyed fishing, being introduced to it at a young age by his parents, and if it had gills, Zach would fish for it. He was a fountain of knowledge on fishing and gladly shared his experiences with anyone who would listen, especially his crossing the Chagrin River in waders. Zach was extremely proud of his son, Damian "D", and thoroughly enjoyed teaching "D" about sports and fishing. Zach was also known as a good friend, one who was always up for doing something. He had a group of similarly minded friends who were all very competitive and liked to bet on their competitions, especially late-night corn hole, although no one ever saw money actually exchange hands. Zach loved being around his family and doing family activities, especially if it involved his mother's cooking. He was always there as a big brother for his sister, Cortney, and he loved spending time with his nieces, Maddie and Macie, particularly throwing them in the air. For the past seven years, Zach was employed as a mechanic for the Handel and Son Elevator Company where he will be sorely missed. Zach was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Harold and Evelyn Smith; his maternal grandparents, Bart and Eloise Mathies; maternal uncles Butch and Bart Mathies, and maternal aunt Lisa Mathies. Zach leaves behind his parents, Pat and Teresa Smith; his sister, Cortney and his brother-in-law and best friend, Justin Davis; his son, Damian "D" Smith; his longtime girlfriend and mother of Damian, Nikki Alden; his nieces, Maddie and Macie (Davis); maternal uncle Ted Mathies (Judy); maternal cousins Breeze (Jenn) and Brett Mathies, who were "brothers" to Zach, and Julie Cook; his very good friends and "brothers" Brandon Davis and Ali "Pun" Alqadhi, softball and fishing buddies; paternal cousin Ashley Holbert (Doug); and paternal uncle and aunt Michael and Patricia Smith. Friends will be received at the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Friday, September 19, 2014, 6-9PM. The funeral service will be Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 10:00 AM at the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Zach Smith Memorial Fund in care of the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221. Services entrusted to Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home and Crematory, 330-928-2147.