Zakary Aaron Osiris DeGross

Zakary Aaron Osiris DeGross was born on August 4, 1995 at 4:02 p.m. at Johns Hopkins. God reached down and carried Zakary to eternal rest on June 18, 2010 at 11:37a.m. after a fourteen month battle with cancer. Zakary’s love of learning began at a very young age with the nurturing he received at Arlene Sutton’s Daycare. His interest in learning continued at the Mount Zion Baptist Christian School where he excelled in every subject, especially reading. Zakary was recognized as a Bible and Reading Scholar in his early years at Mount Zion Baptist Christian School. At his fifth grade graduation, he received special recognition for testing beyond the twelfth grade level in reading. Zakary continued his education at The Boys’ Latin School where he excelled as a Latin Scholar. When diagnosed, Zakary’s main concern was being able to graduate with his eighth grade class. Throuhout his illness he remained dedicated to his school work, maintaining above average grades. Zakary began his Christian experience at Grace Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Stanley Fuller. Zakary gave his life to Christ and was baptized when he was eight years old. He was active in the Youth Ministry and regularly attended Bible Study, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Zakary was very involved with extracurricular activities. He played various sports, such as basketball, baseball, football and lacross. Zakary took pride in knowing that he always gave his best, even if he was not acknowledged as the best athlete on the field. Zakary participated in the PRAISE Program under the direction of his mentors, LaMarr Shields, David Miller and Scott Johnson. PRAISE expanded his cultural and academic horizons. Zakary was also known to be avid movie fan. He had a quirky sense of humor and loved playing practical jokes. Zakary loved all babies and babies loved him back. He was a quiet, well-mannered, compassionate and considerate thinker. He was dedicated to his mother and admired her strengths. Zakary was blessed to have been surrounded by positive male role models who were dedicated to ensuring that he develop into the young man he was meant to be. The bond he had with his grandfather was something to be admired. During his illness Zakary found comfort in the gentle touch and soothing words received from his “Pop Pop”. Pop Pop cared for him from the day he was born and remained by his side until he took his finial breath. Zakary was very proud to have an older brother and he cherished his relationship with him. He also received encouragement from his uncles and godfathers. Memories of Zakary will be forever cherished by: his loving and devoted mother, Lesli DeGross; father, Troy Lee, Sr.; sister, Adonneka Lee; brother, Troy Lee, Jr.; grandfather, Steven DeGross, Sr.; grandmothers, Geraldine DeGross and Sharon Barnes-Thomas; honorary grandmother, Kathy Gilliam; uncles, Steven DeGross, Jr. (Patricia) and LeVon DeGross, Sr. (Ebony); aunts, Shani Darby (Frank), Sharie DeGross and Chinara DeGross; cousins, Patrice, Erika, Phylisha, Alexus, Jazmine, Gabrielle, Arjani, Steven III, Aryel, Levon Jr., Sidney, Savanah and Aliyah; godparents, Shani Darby, Ricky and Andrice Taylor, LaWanda Parker Dates and Eric DeGross; his Boys’ Latin family and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Zakary Aaron Osiris DeGross

August 4, 1995 - June 18, 2010