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Zeke Stayrook Memorial Fund

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"The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye, the story of love is hello and goodbye:until we meet again" ~ Jimi Hendrix

Ezekiel "Zeke" Jacob Stayrook of West Alexandria, Ohio was born in Dayton, Ohio on 7 October 1982. He died at age 31 years on Sunday, 29 December 2013. "He is survived by his parents, Donald "Arnie" and Peggy (Shade) Stayrook, West Alexandria, Ohio; his daughter, Kaelyn Stayrook, Miamisburg, Ohio; and his sister, Beth Stayrook, Xenia, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Raymond and Mildred Stayrook and Elizabeth Brumbaugh."

In the last months of his life, Zeke began a relationship with Jen. He was described by his parents as "crazy about her." Zeke and Jen's hopes of a future together for their blossoming relationship were ended by his fatal car accident.

A 2001 graduate of Twin Valley South High School, he had attended Sinclair College and Miami University. He worked for Sarah's Pizza in Eaton, Ohio.

While growing up, Zeke was a Cub Scout, played soccer, participated in high school band programs performing on the tuba, and appeared in high school theatre productions.

He was well-versed in the music of Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix as a child. As an adult, he came to enjoy everything from Wu Tang Clan to The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Grateful Dead to Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker to Steve Reich, and beyond. Zeke enjoyed attending many concerts throughout his lifetime.

As a gifted writer, his focus in creative writing aligned with his love and appreciation for influential authors, including: Cormac McCarthy, Henry Miller, Hunter S. Thompson, and Aldous Huxley, to mention a few.

Zeke enjoyed listening to the cerebral weekly public radio show hosted by Ira Glass called "This American Life." It presents first-person stories and short fiction pieces. As a movie buff, he admired Stanley Kubrick, the Coen brothers, and Quentin Tarantino, who are only a few on his list of favorites.

Since his youth, Zeke's dedication to music led him to play in bands: Metaphysical Liberation Movement, The Daysmen, and Happy Times, with his childhood and lifetime friends. He played lead guitar, mandolin, percussion, and bass guitar. His experiences on stage also prepared him for reading his own poetry at various venues in Dayton, Ohio.

We are grateful for our connection to his life and remember his knowledge and enthusiasm for the human condition and debating, the pleasure he took in performing music and poetry, his creative writing, his joy at living life with the intention of being true to himself, and the experiences he shared with his family and community of childhood and lifetime friends whom he loved as a father, son, brother, and friend.

We remember Zeke with love; until we meet again.

Ezekiel, a name of Hebrew origin, means "God strengthens." Though Zeke was a strong man in the best years of his life, he experienced many hardships, including his struggle with epilepsy. He didn't let life's challenges hinder him in his pursuit of a meaningful life, but his health condition and his unexpected death have left a financial burden for his family to contend with while they must also endure the unexpected and tragic loss of his life.

Please consider a donation, though prayers for the family and friends of Zeke Stayrook are also welcomed. Your generous support is greatly appreciated as you consider donating to offset the overwhelming costs of unexpected funeral and memorial expenses.

Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $100 
    • 10 yrs

Organizer

Fund for Zeke
Organizer
West Alexandria, OH

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