of Strawberry, AR
March 4, 1994 - February 6, 2022
Zakary Lee Bratcher, 27, was born at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, on March 4, 1994. He passed away at home in Strawberry, Arkansas, on February 6, 2022. Zak was the beloved son to USAF Retired MSgt Bobby and Denise Bratcher, the beloved sister Dakota and her husband Justin Mangrum, and the cherished uncle to Jason and Dean Mangrum.
Zakary's life was far from normal. At the age of 18 months, he was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a degenerative neuromuscular disease that causes the muscle in the body to atrophy until a person loses all physical abilities. Though Duchenne had a hold on his life, Zakary never let it define him as a person. He will always be remembered by those who knew him as a man of incredible strength and perseverance. He was a fanatic of all things penguins, firefighting, and war history. He was an inquisitive person who could talk your ear off for hours on anything history related. His greatest joy came 15 months ago when he became an uncle. He always looked forward to visits, phone video calls, or pictures.
In his youth, Zakary was a Goodwill Ambassador for the MS Gulf Coast and an advocate for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). For many years, Zak and his family were a staple of the WLOX (MS Gulf Coast) and Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon, raising awareness and funds to support research for DMD and other neuromuscular diseases.
Zakary is survived by parents, Bobby and Denise (Massia) Bratcher of Strawberry; sister, Dakota (Justin) Mangrum of Bono; nephews, Jason and Dean Mangrum of Bono; grandmother, Janice (Durham) Bratcher of Strawberry; Aunt, Regina (Bratcher) Bell of Saffell; Great Aunt, Deanna (Stanley) Wrenn. Extended Family: Godparents, Wayne and Pam (Fortenberry) Freer; Aunt, Pamela (Massey) Cook of El Dorado; Uncle, Alex Moore of Ohio; Cousins, Taylon (Cook) and Daniel Steele and their children Sutton and Gabe of El Dorado, Jared Cook and his daughter Eva of El Dorado; Tracey Moore of North Caroline; Crystal (Otto) Rajtora of Peoria, Illinois; Terra (Kirk) Patton and Chris Massia of Kansas City, KS; Trèka (Ethan) Clark of Paragould; Wade (Sarah) Freer of Jonesboro.
Zakary was preceded in death by paternal grandfather, Charles Bratcher; maternal grandparents, Woodrow and Corabell Whalen, uncles Tom Massia, Rick Cook, and Jimmy Bell, aunts Jeri Shay and Sharon Whalen, and cousin Justin Bell.
Honorary Pallbearers: Jared Cook, Daniel Steele, Ryan Ward, Landon Davis, Wade Freer, Ethan Clark, Thomas Polston, and Blake Massey.
The Bratcher family wishes to express our gratitude to the many friends and family that have helped us through our journey. We would like to say thank you to his incredible caregivers who always went above and beyond to care for his many needs over the last few years: Holly Lamberth, Sheila Calfas, Linda Durham Johnson.
Graveside Memorial service will be held at the Little Cemetery on Thursday, February 10 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting all donations be made in his name to any of the many local cemeteries of Northeast Arkansas.
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35 Condolence(s)
Amber Weems
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
My heart breaks for you. I know your pain. Praying God comforts your family and gives you strength. It was a blessing to have had him as long as you did. Nothing could ever replace that.
All my love always.
Cheryl K Sheppard
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. May God put his arms around each of you and comfort you in your time of grief. I wish there were magic words to help you with the pain but sadly there aren't. Remember to be kind to your self in the coming days, weeks and months ahead of you. Celebrate the things that Zak loved. Terry & Cheryl Bishop and David Sheppard
Ryan Ward
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Growing up I loved getting to see Zak at Thanksgiving and Christmas and hear how life had been in the year prior. I loved talking games and history with him. But as I reflect now, Zak really was one of the strongest and bravest people I know. He always had a positive attitude and didn’t let his disability stop him. Zakary was loved by so many and always will be, he will always have a special place in my thoughts and heart. Rest in love and Rest In Peace, you will be missed Zakary.
Amber Weems
Thursday, February 10, 2022
My heart breaks for you. I know your pain. Praying God comforts your family and gives you strength. It was a blessing to have had him as long as you did. Nothing could ever replace that.
All my love always.
Amber Weems
Thursday, February 10, 2022
My heart breaks for you. I know your pain. Praying God comforts your family and gives you strength. It was a blessing to have had him as long as you did. Nothing could ever replace that.
All my love always.
Blaxton Family
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you â¤. God bless. Zak was a true blessing to all that knew him.
Sarah & Tacker Colbert
Thursday, February 10, 2022
We are so sorry for your loss. Praying for comfort and peace for your family during this time.
Jenny Mitchell
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
I’m sorry for your loss. I know how much you loved your brother, but he is now in a better place with the lord. May all your memories comfort you and your family.
Blewe Blevins
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
May our Gracious God bless and comfort you!
Angela Hudson
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
May God's grace, mercy and love overwhelm you all with peace. I loved Zak's visits to the laboratory with Dakota and Mom and Dad. it always brightened my day. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. Love you all dearly,
Angela and Shawn Hudson
Tal Durham
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Bobby sorry for your loss our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.
Kathy Bates
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Heartfelt sympathy to all the family. I know there are no words to comfort you at this time, but I am sending peace and comfort.
Kathy Campbell
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
I am so sorry for this tremendous loss. I will never forget how I met Zak or getting to know your family. Both were huge blessings. Zak touched so many lives and I know he will be missed. Praying for your family.
Alice Pringle Bassal
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Dear Bobby and Denise,
I’m so sad to hear of the passing of your beloved son Zak. You will continually be in my thoughts and prayers.
With love,
Alice and family
Roger Ward
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Our hearts go out to the Bratcher family in this time of sorrow. R.I. P. Zakary
Kim Moore
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
I am so very sorry for your loss!! I pray that the Lord wraps you in His arms of comfort!! If there is anything we can do to help you - please let us know!!
Deborah McWilliams Donner
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Dear Denise, Bobby, Dakota & Justin, my deepest condolences and prayers are with you. Zak will be missed by all and well remembered. I enjoyed meeting him at Dakota’s & Justin’s wedding, and then seeing the photos of him with Jason & Dean. He was a proud uncle. May God give you peace and strength for the coming days. Love & prayers, “Aunt.â€
Sherry Chilton
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
A great young man, forever loved and lighting up Heaven. What advocates he had, and oh how effected the lives of all who met him! May you find strength and peace through your faith and abiding love. My heartfelt prayers and sympathies, Denise and Bobby.
Karen Pillow
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Bobby and Denise, we are so sorry for the loss of your precious son. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dena and Jeff Gage
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
We are so sorry for your great loss
We are praying for you all
Our hearts are breaking with you all and we are also rejoicing with you too knowing Zak is healed and is safe with God
We love yall
If there is anything we can do to help you all, just say it and ill be there
Miranda Stewart
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
May God comfort and surround you with His love. You are in my prayers
Miranda
Vic and Cora Heiser
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Love and Hugs
Mark Tapert
Monday, February 7, 2022
Best wishes to you and the family, during this time of sorrow.
Anne Adkins
Monday, February 7, 2022
Dear Bratcher Family,
We were saddened to learn of Zak’s passing. Although we did not know him well, we know he was loved so much by his family. And we know he will be dearly missed. We will keep your family in our prayers.
Our Deepest Sympathy,
Kevin & Anne Adkins
Brian Clark
Monday, February 7, 2022
Dear Bobby and the Bratcher Family, please accept our family’s deepest condolences with your loss of Zakary, we cannot imagine the pain you must feel. As parents of a child with a disability, your life become somewhat different from many of your colleagues and peers, yet feels more rewarding because of the nuances introduced that the family must triumph over.
In such a trying time I hope you and your family enjoy the many wonderful memories and share the often.
Your friend,
Brian Clark and Tanya and our Family
Keesler, Lackland & Balad
Keely Huskey
Monday, February 7, 2022
We will be praying for the family. Sending love! Jeff and Keely.
Lana Matthews
Monday, February 7, 2022
You are in our Prayers. Love you all so much.
John and Jenneal Runsick
Monday, February 7, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find peace and comfort in the days to come.
Todd, Resa and Stephanie Bolin
Monday, February 7, 2022
We are praying for the Bratcher family.
Alan Vickery
Monday, February 7, 2022
In our thoughts and prayers,
Phyllis, Alan, Paige, & Andrew Vickery
Dave and Karen Moore
Monday, February 7, 2022
Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs. So sorry for your loss.
Robert Beller
Monday, February 7, 2022
I just want to say. He was a good man, and a awesome friend. He will always have a special place in my heart
Kathy Guthrey
Monday, February 7, 2022
Sorry for you loss
Denise Winkler
Monday, February 7, 2022
I am so sorry to hear of your son's passing. It leaves a hole that can never be filled. You're in my prayers, the Lord will carry you in the weeks and months to come.
Brenda hoggard Turner
Monday, February 7, 2022
Prayers