The Federal Defenders of the Middle District of Georgia, Inc. and the entire Federal Defender Community has lost a dear friend and a valued colleague. Howard M. Zach died in a tragic automobile accident near his home on Thursday, July 12 in Forsyth, Georgia. Howard began employment with the Federal Defenders of the Middle District of Georgia, Inc., August16, 2007 as the first CSA for GA-M Federal Defenders newly assigned Federal Defender Office by U.S. Administrative Offices of Courts, where he has remained a dedicated employee for 11 years and 7 months of service. We will all miss Howard and his wonderful smile, laugh, the sound of his rolling bag down the office hallways and most of all his wonderful spirit! He was an avid gardener and cook, and often brought produce in to share with us. He was also the Secret Santa who could bring the gift no one knew they wanted, but then would vie for! Each of us not only grieves at the passing of a tremendous individual, friend and co-worker, but also for the loss his family suffers.Howard was born July 25, 1967 and was from Union Springs, NY. He attended Mohawk Valley Community College and served 10 years in the United States Navy, serving during Desert Storm.Howard leaves behind his wife Tammie; his children, EMN3 Frank Zach of the USS Illinois, Josephine Zach of Forsyth, GA and Ethan Zach of Forsyth, GA. Services with military honors will be held at the Monroe County Memorial Chapel in Forsyth, Georgia, on Monday, July 23, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Milledgeville, GA. The link to Howard’s obituary ishttp://www.monroecountymemorialchapel.com/obituary/howard-zach