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Shelby Zak Obituary
April 12, 1990 - February 25, 2018
Santa Cruz
It is with profound sadness that we lost a true warrior, Shelby Robert Zak on February 25th, 2018, after the most courageous battle of an unidentified Cancer for the last 9 months at UCLA Medical Center. Shelby was born in 1990 at Stanford University with a very rare disease (MID) and was the third oldest survivor in the world. He had undergone two separate Small Bowel Transplants at UCLA in 2004 and 2009. He conquered Lymphona in 2010. He had a lust for life, wanting to experience everything this world had to offer. Shelby was compassionate and had a heart of gold.
Many, many in the medical community took care of Shelby from birth. Stanford University, UCSF, UCLA, and all the medical care he received in Santa Cruz at Dominican Hospital and Palo Alto Medical Foundation and the home nursing he received by hundreds of RN nurses over the years. They all loved him and helped keep him alive. Shelby was in love and very much loved by Emily Cooper. She was "the one", his girlfriend for the last 1 1/2 years. Our world will never by the same.
Shelby is survived by his parents, Richard and Kelly Zak of Santa Cruz, CA. His older brothers, Taylor Zak of Santa Cruz, Kasey and Sara Zak of Soquel. Nephews Kayden and Kolby Zak and niece Leeana Zak of Soquel, and his maternal Grandmother Joann Somers of Soquel. Girlfriend Emily Cooper and Family of Richmond, CA and many extended family members and friends.
Private services will be held at a later day at Holy Cross Cemetery in Santa Cruz.
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Memories and Condolences
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5 Entries
Richard Zak
March 20, 2018
We has so much more to do before God decided to ease his pain and take him into his arms into heaven. I just wish i had a little more time with him so we could have done all of the things we talked about and dreamed about doing.He didn't want to go yet,but God decided it was time for him to live pain free and watch over us.
James Payne
March 12, 2018
Shelby was a great and wonderful friend that I will miss greatly. I cherished our friendship and the many games and jokes we shared. May you finally find peace brother you deserve it.
Dale Booth
March 11, 2018
Its with a heavy heart I light this candle. My thoughts and prayers are with the Zak family and girlfriend.
Judy
March 9, 2018
Your life was short, but it sounds like you enjoyed it to the fullest. So young to leave us, but will have everlasting life and free of any suffering. What a blessing you were. May God comfort your family and also your girlfriend. You will be missed so much.
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