Zachary Aaron Popejoy

November 4, 1976 – February 4, 2022

Zachary was born November 4, 1976, in Houston, Texas to Mike and Marilyn Popejoy. Zachary unexpectedly passed away at his home in Gladstone, Missouri February 4, 2022.

Zachary attended elementary school, middle school and high school in Garden City, Kansas. He began his employment as a paper boy for the Garden City Telegram. He was a cook at the local Sonic Drive-In, and learned to appreciate ribs and the art of barbequing while working at Adam’s Rib.

Working at the local Radio Shack exposed him to the world of electronics. Being glib, industrious and persuasive, he was able to convince his father to help him erect a 40 foot radio tower next to his dad’s workshop. Inside the shop he operated a pirate radio station and took the name One-Legged Dan as his DJ identity. Friends Sean Collins and Daniel Vargas were enthusiastic supporters of the dream.

Zachary left his familiar stomping grounds of Garden City and landed in Topeka, Kansas. Zachary was resourceful and supported himself with various jobs. He was a sous chef at a sports bar where he was a quick study and honed his culinary skills. Family and friends were beneficiaries of those skills.

Zach was a self-taught guitarist and helped form Shots Fired, a band that played local venues in Lawrence and the Kansas City area. Shots Fired twice toured the United States as an opening act for a larger musical group.

His higher education included study at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, and Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas.

Zachary was well-respected as a skilled Audio-Visual Engineer/Technician, and eventually formed his own company, Reliant Media Systems. Reliant Media was contracted by the Kansas City Chiefs organization and performed extensive upgrades to the sound system at the Kansas City Sports Complex. During his tenure with the Chiefs, Reliant Media Systems was recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as having recorded the loudest crowd noise at an outdoor stadium (Arrowhead Stadium) on October 13, 2013. Zach poured his energy and skill into making that day remarkable, and he was exuberant. It was a proud day for him, his family and friends.

The abrupt passing of Zach has left an emptiness in the hearts of those who loved and cared for him. In the days before his death, he spent many hours reading and studying his Bible, and this knowledge provides his loved ones both hope and comfort.

He was preceded in death by his infant sister, Leah Michelle Popejoy; paternal grandmother, Vesta Brian; and maternal grandparents, LaVerne and Ilene Eder. 

Those left to mourn his passing are his wife, Jennifer, and her son, Liam, of the home; father, Mike Popejoy (Debbie), Garden City; mother, Marilyn Dorzab (Bill), Kansas City, Missouri; sister, Bethany Kruger, Kansas City; brother, Tyler Popejoy (Severena), Lenexa, Kansas; brother, Cody Popejoy, Bonner Springs, Kansas; niece, Juniper Popejoy and nephew, Soren Popejoy, Lenexa, Kansas. Numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as friends share this loss and sadness.

Zachary Popejoy was laid to rest in the Eads Cemetery with a private family graveside interment.

Arrangements were under the direction of Brown Funeral Home in Eads.