Zacharia Bedford Bowers

Zacharia Bedford Bowers, known affectionately as Zach to his friends and loved ones, lived a life that exemplified passion, kindness, and an undeniable zest for life. Born on June 29, 1988, in Topeka, Kansas, Zach breathed his last in the very city that witnessed his first cry on April 18, 2025. Despite the mystery surrounding his untimely departure, his legacy is one that will continue to ignite the spark of inspiration in everyone he touched.

Zach was a beacon of light in the field of physical education, touching countless lives with his unwavering dedication and infectious enthusiasm. A proud alumnus of Shawnee Heights High School, Fort Scott Community College and ultimately South Dakota State University, his educational journey was as dynamic as the man himself. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Science, and later a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, Health, and Recreation, Zach became a testament to hard work and the unwavering pursuit of one's dreams.

His professional life was marked by a deep-seated passion for empowering others. From the aquatics director at the Southwest YMCA to his time as a counselor at Florence Crittenton Services, each role Zach undertook was a chapter in a life spent nurturing the potential in others. His vocation as a physical education teacher took him to various schools, from Lidgerwood Public School in North Dakota, Cannon Valley Special Education Cooperative and Burnside Elementary in Minnesota, to Lawrence-Garder High School in Kansas where his tireless spirit and love for teaching were on display for all to see.

On the football field, Zach's triumphant spirit soared. As an exceptional player, he earned a spot on the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team at South Dakota State. He was a member of the JFPA organization, a non-profit for SDSU football players. His time at Fort Scott Community College was nothing short of stellar, leading his team to a victory win in the 2009 Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference title and was ranked second in national junior college ranks with 11-1 overall record etching his name in the annals of sports history. Zach's commitment to the game saw him reach the ranks of the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad, and he later continued to share his love for the sport through semi-professional football.

As a coach, his influence was profound; he didn't just shape athletes but also men and women of character. Whether it was as a varsity track and field coach, a football coach, Zach's dedication to the players and love for the sport was undeniable. His leadership extended beyond the field and into the lives of those he guided. His support as a Burnside crisis team member and behavior staff member at Lidgerwood further showcased his unwavering commitment to the well-being of students.

Zach's life was as multifaceted as the man himself, with interests that painted the picture of a life fully lived. A semi chef in the kitchen, a devoted dog lover, and a fitness enthusiast, Zach embraced every moment with gusto. His joy was found in the laughter of friends and family, in the successes of his students, and in the simple bliss of a Madden game or a captivating movie. The art of music came effortlessly; he played guitar as a child and the bass and trombone in elementary school. His taste for music varied but always in rotation was the 2000s cookout vibe mix. His sense of humor was as legendary as his charm.

In the words of Helen Keller, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." Zach embodied this sentiment, transforming every day into an adventure worth remembering. He is survived by his loving mother, Valeta VanSickle; father, Roy Bowers(deceased); siblings Dion Avery, Michael Avery, Isaiah Bowers, and Shanese Bowers; nephews Dion Avery Jr, Jaylen Avery, Hunter Bowers, Josiah Bowers and nieces Mynesha Avery, Mikayla Avery, one great nephew and four great nieces who adored him; a host of uncles, aunts, and cousins along with a network of in-laws; Darnisha Avery, Shannon Avery, Nicole Smith, and Edward Hyman Jr who were family in every sense; and friend and ex-wife Danielle Anderson.

Zach's passing leaves a void in the hearts of many, but his spirit—a bright, unextinguishable flame, remains as a guiding light. His life was not measured in years, but in the countless memories made, the lives changed, and the hearts ignited with the fire of his passion.

Let us carry forward Zach's legacy by embodying the very essence of his character: to live with kindness, to laugh freely, to inspire passionately, and to seize every moment with the courage of a lion. For in doing so, Zacharia Beford Bowers will continue to live on, not just in memory, but in the very fabric of every life he so dearly touched.

A Celebration of Life will begin at 2:00 PM Saturday, May 3, 2025, at St. John AME Church, 701 SW Topeka Blvd, Topeka, KS 66603. Repass will follow his celebratoin.

The family suggests memorial donations be made in Zach's memory to JFPA Organization sent in care of Midwest Cremation, 525 SE 37th Street, Topeka, KS 66605.

Flowers may be ordered through Blooms on Boswell, 1300 SW Boswell Avenue, Topeka, KS. 785-272-2749.

https://bloomsonboswell.com/