Fallen Culver Athlete’s Family Helps to Save Others

Back in 2008, police in Bend pulled over 18-year-old Matthew Zachary of Culver. But he ran from the scene and was found unconscious.

An autopsy later determined that Zachary had died of a genetic heart disease that can cause sudden death. His death caused the small community of Culver to mourn one of their star athletes, one in a string of tragedies to rock the close-knit town.

And ever since his death, his family has been giving back in his honor.

Like any family who loses a child, the Zachary family has taken it hard, but they also continue to give back generously in his memory.

This year, the family is making sure the school can prevent the deaths of other students like their son.

As Culver School District Superintendent Stephanie Garber opened up a gift from the Zachary family Monday evening, she couldn’t thank them enough..

“To me it’s pretty symbolic of the Zachary family and how they have turned tragedy into still blessing people,” Garber said.

This year, the Zachary family has given the school district a portable defibrillator.

“It’s just one more token of giving to the school district, which they have done over and over again,” Garber said.

Athletic Director Brad Kudlac says unlike stationary defibrillators, a portable one will allow the school to react in emergencies at any school function, such as sporting events.

“To have this being donated is going to help us tremendously to keep our kids safe,” Kudlac said.

But this isn’t the first gift the Zachary family has given the school district.

They also gave their time and money, over $8,000, to double the size of Culver High’s weight room, an addition the school badly needed.

“Kids have a great place to work out and stay in shape and get stronger, bigger and faster,” Garber said. “The Zachary family has been a blessing to this school district.”

While the Zachary family feels blessed to be able to give back to the high school, they wish their gifts were out of pride for a graduate who’d gone on to great things, not in their son’s memory.

“He passed away two weeks before graduation of a heart condition,” father Matt Zachary said.

The funding for the new weight room and defibrillator were paid for by a golf tournament held by Matt’s dad in honor of his son as well as the young man’s grandfather, who passed away a year earlier.

“That’s our hope, that through Matt’s legacy and honor we can continue to do things for Culver and help kids,” Zachary said.

As Matt’s retired No. 64 jersey hangs high in the Culver High gym and with the defibrillator in his honor, students will never forget the gifts Matthew Zachary gave them.

Later this year, Culver kids ages 7-11 will be learning and hanging out with the varsity boys, at the Matt Zachary Football Camp.

Those attending will be sporting a sweatshirt in Zachary’s honor. Just another way to remember the Culver teen.