Zachary James Plaunt

Zachary James Plaunt was born on November 13, 1995 in Plainwell, Michigan and died suddenly in a tragic accident on Tuesday, May 28th 2019 in Schoolcraft, Michigan. Although his time here was much too brief, Zach lived his life with passion and zest. His life was full…. full of friends, full of love, full of adventure and most especially, full of family. During his grade school years, he attended First Assembly Christian, Paramount Academy and Heritage Christian, before graduating from Portage Northern in 2014. He worked several jobs after high school, and each experience was another opportunity to befriend others, and be an encourager and lover of people. Make no mistake, Zach was a very hard worker, but he always found time to be thoughtful and lift others up. He was a friend to the friendless, always. The size of his personality was difficult to measure. He encompassed so many extraordinary qualities. He was loving, kind, funny, tender-hearted, authentic, compassionate, intellectual, and affectionate, with a brilliant, charismatic and contagious smile. Zach had many interests and activities. Some of these included skateboarding, playing board games, and music. He was an anointed musician and his talents included not only playing the drums but also playing acoustic and electric guitar. He enjoyed his time spent playing on the worship team for church. He was not only a deep thinker, he also dove into spiritual topics with passion and spirit. The moments he spent with family were among the most treasured of times. He was a loving and caring son to his mother, and never failed to make her laugh and always let her know he loved her. Indeed, as the youngest of four, he was a bit like the family comedian. He admired his brothers and enjoyed special times with them. They enjoyed playing video games, golfing, skiing/snowboarding, fishing, watching sci-fi/horror movies, and they would even join efforts together to pick on and tease his sister-in-law, Leslie. Zach especially looked up to his eldest brother, Bryan for his wisdom and life advice. Zach and his brothers are very gifted, musically. They created their own little band and would always play music in the basement of the house they grew up in. Zach also had a special bond with his mother, Kim. She had a special place in his heart and he would often tell her he would be nothing without her and that she made him who he was. They enjoyed their time together, going for walks at Celery Flats and fishing off the dock at the park. Zach was truly a beautiful, effervescent gift from God and will be terribly missed by all who were blessed to know him. We’re thankful he’s with Jesus, but he’s left an imprint upon our hearts that cannot and will not disappear. In memory of Zach, be kind and love well, today and every day. Zachary J. Plaunt is survived by his parents: Jeffrey Ray Burrell of Arkansas and Kimberly Ann Plaunt of Portage, MI; brothers: Bryan R. Plaunt, Jacob J. (Leslie) Plaunt, Joshua D. Plaunt; Uncle: Tim (Doreen) Collia; Aunts: Wendy Collia, Lisa (Paul) Hendrix; cousins: Terry Collia, Tiffany (Jake) Stommen, Cortney Collia, Ashley Collia, Brittany Collia, Scott Collia, Paul Hendrix, Melissa (Mike) Sereda, Stephanie Hendrix, Lori (Garrett) Williams; grandmother: Mary Ann (John) Kaestner; and close friends (like brothers): Drew Danahy, Gavin Tolmacs, and Nigel Minines. Zach is preceded in death by his grandfather: James R. Collia. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 8th at 11am at Kalamazoo First Assembly of God (5550 Oakland Dr. Portage, MI 49024) with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Please visit Zach’s page at www.avinkcremation.com where you can share a memory, archive a photo, or send flowers. Those who wish may make contributions to Freedom Center of Kalamazoo or Kalamazoo Young Life. The family is being assisted by Avink Funeral Home and Cremation Society, 129 S. Grand St. Schoolcraft, MI 49087 (269-679-5622).