Zachary (Zach) Michael Hoefler

Zach aka Z, was a precious boy in the Allen Texas community. Zach was born in Seattle Washington in 1999 and relocated to Allen when he was just 18 months old. He attended Boon Elementary, Erickson Junior High and graduated from Allen High School in May of 2017. Zach grew up playing baseball, basketball and his first love, football. Zach, by nature, was highly competitive and hated losing more than anything. It was that competitive spirit, coupled with his talent and his knowledge of the game that allowed him to become an excellent QB in the Allen system.

While Zach certainly loved playing those sports, it was the camaraderie with his teammates that he enjoyed the most. Zach was a lovable, caring, compassionate, funny, optimistic and loyal friend to many. Zach loved his family, both immediate and extended, immensely and looked forward to having one of his own one day.

Aside from participating in sports, Zach was a passionate fan of all Boston Sports Teams. He enjoyed spending evenings and Sundays hanging out with his Dad watching the Red Sox, Celtics and of course the New England Patriots. He had a diverse taste in music but enjoyed Classic Rock and Country most.

Zach was a very faithful follower of Christ and he used His teachings to help guide his life. He was a member of Suncreek United Methodist Church and an active participant in their youth program.

Just before his senior year, Zach began to experience headaches and nausea which was initially diagnosed as migraine headaches. As the headaches began to increase in frequency and severity, his parents took him to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. He eventually was diagnosed with a brain tumor. While the diagnosis was scary, our faith filled us with hope and trust in the treatment recommended by our doctors.

After a summer of surgeries followed by chemotherapy, the doctors encouraged our family to get Zach back into a routine, and back to his senior year at Allen. He had to make some lifestyle changes, including a restriction that led him to stay on the football sideline. While Zach’s life was not going to be the same, we certainly had hope and faith in our treatment plan. Following Zach’s Senior year, his brain tumor showed more progression. During the summer following his high school graduation from Allen, he started Proton radiation therapy which was promising treatment for his type brain tumor. Zach completed his treatment and enrolled in the University of Mississippi, aka Ole Miss, to begin his college career and to start getting on with his life. He joined Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and loved his brothers and the brotherhood so much, making many friends along the way. Just before completing his first year at Ole Miss, Zach experienced seizures causing him be air flighted back to Dallas Children’s Medical Center for more tests, another surgery and another chemotherapy regimen. What we did not know is that Zach's tumor started to change, and it became much more aggressive. The once seemingly manageable diagnosis of Pilocytic Astrocytoma took a terrible turn. The cure rate of this tumor is 90%, however Zach did not fall into these favorable odds.

Following the diagnosis in August of 2016, Zach endured 5 brain surgeries, 6 different chemotherapy drugs and 6 weeks of Proton radiation therapy. Much of this treatment regimen resulted in horrific side effects along the way. In typical Z fashion, he was confident the treatment would do its job and never complained once. He just viewed it as something he needed to do and always said “it is what it is”.

We are so proud of Zach as his compassion, competitive spirit, sense of humor, optimism and faith in God were palpable and infectious. Following his passing, we have received so many heartfelt texts, voicemails and calls about how much Zach impacted their lives. We know why.....he made people feel good about themselves....this is the ultimate compliment a human can get.

Zach will be missed terribly by many, but we know he is wrapped in Gods arms and no longer suffering from the dreadful disease he battled like a warrior for 2 years. It is clear that God and the Angels got a good one but his spirit and legacy will be forever strong….. #HoeflerStrong.

Zach is survived by his parents Mike and Kelly Hoefler, sister Kendall Hoefler, paternal grandmother Judy Hoefler, maternal grandfather Robert Heffron, aunts and uncles Mike and Donna Heffron, Doug and Vangie Heffron, Laura and Joe Sheffy, Jennifer and Steve Condon, Jeff and Irena Hoefler, Kathy and Eric Skogseth, cousins Katie Heffron, Ali Walsh, Luke Heffron, Grace Heffron, Rose Heffron, Mark Heffron, Parker Sheffy, Leslie Sheffy, Kelsey Condon, Kenny Condon, Timmy Hoefler, Anna Hoefler, Jimmy Skogseth, Tommy Skogseth and many loving friends.

The family will receive friends for a visitation Friday, September 14, 2018 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Allen Family Funeral Options. There will be a funeral service to celebrate Zach’s life Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. at Suncreek United Methodist Church, 1517 W McDermott Dr, Allen, Texas 75013 with The Reverend Dr. Barry Hughes.

It is the request of Zach’s family that at both the visitation and the funeral no black should be worn. They want to honor Zach by wearing New England Patriot or Ole’ Miss colors or jerseys.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you make a donation to the Zach Hoefler Memorial Scholarship. Donations may be made online at www.AISDfoundation.org or checks made payable to the Foundation For Allen Schools, may be mailed to: FFAS, c/o Allen ISD Administration, 612 East Bethany Drive, Allen, Texas 75002 . Please note on your donation Zach Hoefler Memorial Scholarship #HoeflerStrong.