ZACHARY EDWARD STRODE

Our son, Zachary Edward Strode, age 33, of Donalsonville, GA left us in a tragic accident on his way to work Thursday morning, Dec. 5, 2024, in Donalsonville. Zach was born and raised in Decatur, Illinois and currently resided in Donalsonville, GA, a place he loved and where he thrived.

 Services will be held at Lester Barnett Cemetery, 5705 E. William St. Rd., Decatur, Illinois, on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 1:30 PM. He will be laid to rest next to his sister. A memorial dinner will be held in his honor immediately following, place and time TBA as our hometown friends and family make arrangements for his homecoming. 

 Zach had a degree in automotive technology from Universal Technical College in Chicago, Illinois, and he had extensive skills including agriculture well and electric, shelling plant operator and industrial concrete construction and many more.

 Zach aka “Strode” was an extremely hard working man and had a drive for perfection in everything he did. His passions were “Catfishing” deep sea fishing, Xbox gaming and last but certainly not least working on anything with “wheels” particularly motors.

 Zach leaves to cherish his memory, two beautiful sons, Brantley and Colson Strode of Decatur, Illinois; his parents, Phillip and Dena Strode/Creek of Decatur, Illinois currently residing in Donalsonville, Georgia; sister, Jayme Marie Arellano of Decatur, Illinois; grandparents, Larry and Debbie Creek of Decatur, Illinois; grandfather, Marvin Strode of Cairo, Georgia; grandmother, Nancy Smith of Florida; and many other family/friends.

 He was preceded in death by his sister, Felecia Strode; his biological father, Edward Watkins; his grandmother, Sharon Strode; and his grandfather, Lawrence Watkins.

 Zach’s passing has left a tremendous weight and loss on so many who knew and loved him. As Zach’s parents there are no words to describe the loss of our son, we are irrevocably broken.

You are so loved Zach and we will always carry you with us. Not even death can separate us, your legacy lives on certainly in your most precious sons and always in our hearts. Loved beyond measure. “FOREVER FISHIN”.