Zachary Logan Bryson

 

Zachary Logan Bryson, age 27, formerly of Sylva, died Saturday, August 5, 2023.

He was born March 12, 1996, to Steve and April Stephens Bryson of the Ochre Hill Community. He is survived by both parents, a brother, Cody (Bridy), nephew, Cooper, and niece, Ayla and a partner of four years, Jazmine Macias. He is also survived by maternal grandparents, Anita and Mike Broom, and Arthur and Kathie Stephens, aunts, uncles, and many cousins in Western North Carolina.

Zachary attended Fairview Elementary, graduated from Smoky Mountain High in 2014 from Western Carolina University in 2020 with a BS BA in Sports Management. He enjoyed playing sports and made many friends along his journey. On the field, on the stage, or in the stands, he enjoyed life and being surrounded by friends and family.

Zachary was employed in Sacramento, California, for Jackson Laboratories. He had travelled recently with his family to Ohio to receive treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and bipolar mood disorder with subsequent anxiety and depression. Debilitating panic attacks surfaced in the last two weeks, and his family worked through behavioral health services to regulate his medications and develop a management plan for him to return to the life he had built over the last four years with Jazmine Macias in California. Our plan was not God's plan, and we trust Him completely, so perhaps Zachary's legacy is to help increase awareness.

Please understand that mental illness is not a character flaw. As many do, Zachary struggled with his pain in silence, a sad realization that we hope others don't have to face.  One in five people have some type of mental health condition. The pain and trauma that Zachary suffered cannot be in vain. He was a loving, compassionate, son, brother, and uncle. He loved with his whole heart and sought God's salvation at an early age. We will see him again. He will be remembered for his love of soccer, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Tarheels, macaroni & cheese, and blackberry cobbler.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 pm Saturday August 12, 2023 in the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services with Rev. Scott Carter officiating. The family will be receiving friends Saturday from 12:00 noon till 2:00 prior to the Service at the Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Norman-Blanton Cemetery.    
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Zachary's name: NAMI.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">NAMI.org/fundraiser/4845312">https://donate.NAMI.org/fundraiser/4845312


Please also take time to learn about mental health conditions that currently affect millions of families: NAMI.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.NAMI.org