Zacharai Quinton Sharlow

Lifelong Wasilla resident Zacharai Quinton Sharlow, 18, died unexpectedly Jan. 22, 2013, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in Wasilla.

Memorial services are at 3 p.m., Feb. 1 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 440 Elmwood Ave., Palmer. The Rev. Jonathan Rockey will officiate. A reception and potluck will follow the services at the church. His ashes will be scattered at Hatcher Pass at a later date.

Zach was born Sept. 15, 1994, at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage. He attended Valley Pathways High School in Palmer. Zach enjoyed snowboarding, hacky sack, skateboarding and was a die-hard gamer.

“Our family feels that our precious Zach was taken from us too early in life. He was soft-spoken and gentle-hearted. He was quiet and strong with a witty sense of humor; always making people laugh,” his family wrote. “He never failed to show his respect and appreciation to those he loved. He was sure to say ‘I love you’ every time he walked out the door. He will be missed beyond words.”

Surviving are his father, Jason Sharlow of Wasilla; mother, Lori Amouak of Fairbanks; sisters, Chevy and Ellie Sharlow, both of Wasilla; grandpa, Bill Sharlow; grandma, Sharon Sharlow; grandma, Dace Boyd; great-grandfather, William Sharlow; great-grandmother, Doris Sharlow; aunts, Nikki and Mike Sironen, Shannon and Kyle Drasky, Cassie and Morgan Amouak-Hale; uncle, Adam and Kira Boyd; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins and a family of friends.

Memorial contributions may be made in Zach’s memory to any Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, Memorial Fund No. 141714.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory. An obituary and guestbook are online at AlaskanFuneral.com.