Birth date: May 26, 2000 Death date: Apr 16, 2023
Zachery Austin Gocher, 22, of Albemarle, NC, passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2023. A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2023 from 4pm until 7pm at Harmanco’s, 1407 E. Main Street, Albemarle, NC 28001. H Read Obituary
Zach was such a sweet, positive person. I met him at race tracks and he was a calm presence in the chaos. I will miss seeing him, the camaraderie, and having the chance to see all the great photos he shared with me from the tracks. My condolences to Zach's family and his friends who loved him and considered him family. May his memory be a blessing. - Chris Estey
Before I share this memory of mine of Zach as a bubbly little tyke, I want to express my heartfelt condolences to his mom Jodie, his dad Eric and his brother Seth. Also to his Aunt Michelle and cousin Nathan who were all a part of our extended dental family when we worked with Jodie, Michelle and his late grandma Mary. I know that today is tough, but Zach is with his grandparents Mary and Tom now smiling down upon us and likely putting a smile on all of the faces around him in Heaven.
So this story goes back to around the time Zach was likely 7 or 8 and was playing baseball and was full of life and energy and came in like he usually did with his mom and Seth to see grandma and the rest of us at work….a big old smile on his face with that ornery look in his eye. He asked me if I wanted to make a bet on who was going to win one of the big college football games that weekend …..it might have been Florida vs. Florida St….but I can’t remember. I said sure and said “how about five bucks?” He said, “let’s make it ten!” As I chuckled and agreed we shook hands on it and well…..the very next week he came back to the office to collect because he had won. With another big smile on his face, he gave me a gentle reminder of our wager and it was time to pay up. So, I went to the back because I was prepared and brought out a bag filled with ten dollars in pennies and handed it over to him. I said., “here ya go Zach…ten bucks….it’s all yours. Sorry for the payment in change.” He smiled again and said, “that’s ok doc….it spends just like paper money.” Then he hoisted the bag and looked at his mom and said “we need to go to the bank.”
Zach was a beautiful soul and a true joy to be around as a little boy and I can see that he continued to touch the lives of many as he grew up and moved away from the Sarasota area. May God lift all of you this day and may Zach be in the glory of God’s presence from now and into eternity. Sending love and prayers from the Aippersbach Family.
