Zachary "Zack" Smith

Zachary “Zack” B. Smith, age 32, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, November 12, 2022 after a 15-month battle of a rare form of brain cancer.  Zack had multiple procedures, surgeries, and end of life scenarios, and he not only defied the odds each time, he came back swinging!  He never gave up.

Zack was born on July 10, 1990.   He married the love of his life, Katie Baker, on April 14, 2018 on Jungle Hut Beach in Palm Coast, Florida.  This was the best day of Zack’s life rivaled only by the birth of his son, Oliver Collins Smith, on May 18, 2020.  Zack’s two proudest moments, indeed.

A promotion for Katie took her to Houston, TX.  Zack followed his heart and left his career and family to join Katie in Texas where they lived for a year and a half.  Their budding career paths continued to lead them to various states across the country (sometimes separate ways), and eventually their career paths aligned in the Chicagoland area, then North Dakota, and recently Madison.

Everything Zack did, he made it important.  Every moment Zack was a part of, he made deliberate.  Zack embraced life, love, family, and friends, and he took every opportunity to make sure his family always felt special.  Zack lived life with passion and adventure and intensity, and he and Katie made sure to make every date and every moment a memory.

Zack loved Formula One, golf, running, cycling, football, and The Ohio State.  He was a huge family person.  No one could rival his one-liners, sarcasm, wit, (except for maybe his Uncle Dave!) and you were always kept on your toes in his company!

Zack is survived by his loving wife Katie; son Oliver; parents Wade and Michelle Sparks; parents-in-law Bryan and Nancy Baker; siblings Sam Sparks and Kyle (Kendra) Sparks, and Megan Smith and Christian Smith with their father Mark Smith; siblings-in-law Emily (Jeremy) Cybulski and Kylee (Travis) Fuller; nieces and nephews Kaden, Mason, Scarlett, Elijah, and Jocelyn.  He is further survived by his grandparents Esther Cook, Kenneth (Suzanne) Cook, Nancy Settles, David (MaryAnne) Smith, and Mamma Baker; uncles Dave Cook with his daughter Bryn and Paul (Lora) Cook; along with many other relatives and countless friends.

Zack’s family would like to give special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and care staff at the UW Madison Clinics and Hospital that supported Zack and their family throughout his battle.  They would also like to thank all the many friends and family throughout his journey for all their support during this time.

His soul is now free.

Private services for Zack will be held.

Cress Funeral Home-- Sun Prairie

608-837-9054