March 20, 1987 ~ Nov. 24, 2021
On the quiet evening of March 20, 1987, Greg Goddard and Madonna Wilczek became the proud parents of their first son, Zachary Blane Goddard. He was the first grandchild of Gordon and Phyllis Goddard and the fourth for Lois Wilczek. From the very beginning, he had a sweet smile that enabled him charm his way in to the hearts of all of his family, including his many uncles, aunts and cousins.
Zack was a content little boy who was just as happy to spend countless hours playing with his cousins, Brad, Kellen and Daniel as he was to sit quietly and play video games or watch a movie. When he was 9 he became the big brother of Wesley and although he would sometimes say his brother was annoying, he was always there to protect or thump on him, which ever was needed.
The heart of Zack swelled beyond measure when he became Uncle Zack to Baxter Goddard. This big-hearted teddy bear turned in to mush when Baxter was anywhere near. They had a sweet bond that could only be shared between uncle and nephew.
Zack grew into a quiet, funny young man. He became someone whom friends could count on to always have their back. His goofy grin was infectious and no one could really resist laughing back with him. During high school, he became surprisingly fierce when playing football, occasionally known for inflicting huge hits which could sometimes come out of nowhere. He enjoyed wresting and baseball as well. He was graduated from Rangely High School with the Class of 2005.
He entered into the family business, Gordon Goddard Construction, right out of high school but soon found a need to spread his wings in a different direction. At the urging of his cousins, Steven and Leona Rice, he moved to Santaquin, Utah. It was here that he was able to turn his life around and he loved the four years he spent there. He often said that his cousins Tanner, Charelsie and MaKena gave him a reason to succeed and he was always grateful for his time he spent with them. He loved the nickname he earned with them — Zachafur.
He made a huge leap in his life when he moved to North Dakota and began working for NCI Coating. He loved his job and was always sending pictures home of the amazing work he was doing. Even though he enjoyed his job, he felt he needed his family and returned home to Rangely. He worked several different jobs before landing a position that he looked forward to going to every day with Rec Center where he was employed until he passed away on Nov. 24, 2021.
Zack left a quote in his journal for all of us to share:
“The memory of things past is indeed a worm that does not die, whether it continues to grow by gnawing away at our hearts or is changed into a brightly-colored, winged creature depends on whether we can find forgiveness we can’t find inside ourselves.”
Zack will always have piece of the hearts of those that he leaves behind; his parents Greg and Madonna, his brother Wesley, his nephew Baxter, many uncles, aunts, cousins and dear friends.
He was reunited with all of his grandparents, Gordon and Phyllis Goddard, Ernie and Lois Wilczek, several uncles, aunts and cousins.
Condolences may be sent to the family at PO Box 302, Rangely, CO 81648
A celebration of his life will take place at the First Baptist Church, 207 S. Sunset Ave., Rangely, Colorado, on Dec. 11, 2021, at 11 a.m.
EULOGY
Many people who have known Zack have sent the following memories of him:
He was a quiet and kind young man.
Zach always has the biggest smile; sometimes it was funny and sometimes a little mischievous.
He was always there to help his friends in any way he could.
He loved his family very much.
He had a huge heart with lots of energy.
He loved little kids.
He had sense of humor that was so surprising sometimes given his quiet nature.
Even though he was battling demons we could not understand, he was still a loving, caring friend that cannot ever be replaced.
