Zachary Alan Parsons, 17, of Warrensburg, Missouri, died Monday, Feb. 15, in Johnson County, near Knob Noster.

Zachary was born Dec. 9, 1998, in Warrensburg, the son of Jason Ray Parsons and Deborah Sue (Lee) Parsons. He was a junior at Sacred Heart High School in Sedalia at the time of his passing.
Zachary was involved in the Sedalia Leadership Council 2015-2016; West Central Representative on the Missouri State Council 2013-2015; 4-H representative on the MU Extension Council – 2013-2015; president of the Johnson County 4-H Council 2014-2015; West Central representative at 4-H National Congress – 2014-2015; Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year – 2015-2016; All Conference Kaysinger Speech Team; Congressional Award bronze and silver medalist; Patriot Award, 201-500 volunteer hours from 2014-2015; National Honor Society from 2015-2016; American Legion Oratorical Contest, earned $10,000 scholarship to Lindenwood College; and received $10,000 per year from Lindenwood University.
He promoted the Soles4Souls shoe community service project and collected 1,500 pairs of shoes; attended the 4-H Legislative Academy where he spent three days in Jefferson City and job shadowed Rep. Denny Hoskins; was named Operation Home Front Military Child of the Year for the National Guard and received $10,000 scholarship, a laptop and a trip to a gala in Washington, D.C., where he met Gen. Grass and Gen. Dempsey, chief of staff; was First Team All Conference Speech Team for Sacred Heart; promoted 4-H through radio interviews and visiting other counties; interviewed with KMZU for Missouri State Council for 4-H; was a member of the Public Relations and Giving Committee on 4-H State Council; chaired and worked Clover Kid Day Camp for 4-H; served as 4-H camp counselor from the ages of 13 until 17; was camp counselor at Camp Blue Sky in Sedalia; volunteered at State Fair to escort queen candidates and promoted the military for the National Guard.
He volunteered at State Fair for the Governors Breakfast; presented 44 blankets to WMMC CEO for 4-H Community Project “Project Warmth,” elected as marketing manager/marketing director of yearbook staff at Sacred Heart; member of the choir at Sacred Heart; member of Sedalia Leadership; MU Extension representative; National Honor Society; member of Sacred Heart tennis team; Speech and Debate at Sacred Heart; VFW Voice of Democracy Essay; Medical Explorers with Bothwell Medical Center in Sedalia; Sacred Heart representative for Sedalia leadership; selected for American Legion Boys State 2016;  Kaysinger Choir Conference; Kaysinger Speech All Conference first team; accepted for Vanderbilt Summer Academy for talented youth at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee studying psychology, neuroscience and law; and showed livestock at various state and county shows. While in 4-H, he was awarded one of the top honors of the Key Award and I Dare You Award. He was also selected to interview at the state level for 4-H National Conference in Washington, D.C.
Survivors include his parents, Jason and Deborah Parsons, of Warrensburg; two sisters, Dianne Gower, and husband, Simon, of Columbus; and Taylar McDonald and husband, Anthony, of Warrensburg; brother, Shaun Roach, and wife, Lindsey, of Dededo, Gaum; maternal grandparents, Bryan and Dianne Lee, of Warrensburg; paternal grandparents, Kenneth “Skip” and Marilyn Parsons, of Warrensburg; nieces and nephews, Clayton Gower, Jaycee Gower, Evan Roach, Olivia Roach, Hunter McDonald, Nathan McDonald and Talon McDonald; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother, Matthew Lynn Cantrell Jr., in 1999.
A memorial service was Saturday, Feb. 20, at First Baptist Church in Warrensburg, with the Rev. Paul Moss, of Jacoby Chapel Presbyterian Church, and Father Mark of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sedalia officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Johnson County 4-H Council.
Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg.
Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.