Zachary Jacob Crandall, known to everyone as Zach, passed away unexpectedly on August 19, 2026, at the age of 16, as a result of a hiking accident on Devil’s Castle in Alta, Utah.

Zach was a beloved son, brother, and friend. He was born on August 30, 2009, in Abington, Pennsylvania, where he lived for his first six months before moving to Sandy, Utah with his family and where he called home for the rest of his life.

Zach lived boldly. He had an adventurous spirit and considered himself an extreme athlete. He was the kind of person who threw himself completely into the things he loved and into the people who mattered to him. He loved freestyle trampoline, cliff jumping, indoor climbing, hiking, weightlifting, thrifting, music, traveling, and anime. He loved challenging himself, learning difficult things, finding the next adventure, and having the freedom to express himself.

As much as adventure was a part of Zach, so were his friendships, his kindness, and his willingness to help others. Zach showed up for the people he cared about. Helping others came naturally to him, and he had a way of making the people around him feel included and supported.

A Curious and Determined Learner

From an early age, Zach loved to learn. His parents would read to him for two hours each night, often having a hard time convincing him it was time to sleep! Upon learning to read on his own, he became a voracious reader, and trips to the library meant bringing home stacks of books.

At Albion Middle School, Zach received the Noble Knight Award in seventh grade, the school's highest honor. He was a skilled and passionate debater, competing in the seventh and eighth grade and earning top awards. He continued competing in debate through ninth grade.

Zach excelled academically. He was an honors student, earning straight A's through eighth grade. He had a 3.9 cumulative unweighted GPA and he was set to graduate from Brighton High School this spring. He was looking forward to college and hoped to attend San Diego State University.

A Passion for Freestyle Trampoline

As a child, he participated in soccer with Sandy City Recreation from age 5 through eighth grade. Over time, he realized he loved his teammates and coach more than the sport itself. When a new trampoline facility, KTR, opened near his home, Zach was hooked. Freestyle trampoline quickly became a passion. He would spend five or six hours a day learning new tricks and training to become better.

Zach didn't simply practice—he was a student of his new sport. He recorded videos of his tricks, analyzed them, and used what he learned to improve. Through freestyle trampoline, he discovered an online community of people around the world who were teaching themselves new skills and encouraging one another. Zach became an important part of that community.

His dedication led him to compete in 2023 at the Nationals GTG games for Freestyle trampoline in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he earned third place in one of the competitions. He also competed in two competitions at Lowe's Xtreme Air Sports, taking first place in one and tying for first the following year.

At age 14, KTR hired Zach part-time as a Coach. He loved teaching kids how to flip and sharing the sport he was so passionate about. He coached young athletes who later attained top levels of the sport. Teaching others gave Zach an opportunity to share not only his skills, but also his enthusiasm and encouragement.

Friends, Family, and Community

When a new men's volleyball team was formed at Brighton High School, Zach decided to join. He quickly came to love the sport and his teammates. He played for two years, and during his second year he served as co-captain of the sophomore team. Mentoring his teammates came easy to Zach because of his close relationship with his younger brother, Dylan, and cousin, Nicholas. Zach celebrated their accomplishments and milestones too, along with his loving parents, Sandra and Josh.

During his sophomore year, after attending a Winters dance, Zach found a close-knit group of friends who became an important part of his life. He loved spending time with them at football games and school dances. He attended nearly every dance he could and enjoyed the all-day activities and excitement that led up to the dances.

When KTR closed, Zach found his next home at Momentum Climbing Gym. He would spend hours there learning and improving his bouldering skills and, just as importantly, spending time with friends from Brighton High School who equally loved the sport.

An Adventurous Spirit

Zach's love of adventure started with roller coasters and even parasailing. It later evolved into cliff jumping which, enabled him to combine his freestyle skills with jumping into the water. His friends introduced him to the outdoors, and Zach embraced it wholeheartedly. He went on a few backpacking trips, enjoyed campfires in the canyon, and enjoyed social time in nature.

He developed a particular love for hiking and the challenge of reaching mountain peaks. He hiked Mount Timpanogos and Pfeifferhorn with his brother, returning home completely covered in mud, but beaming about how quickly they had completed the hikes. He went on to hike several more peaks, always looking for the next challenge and adventure.

He pursued the things he loved with remarkable determination, surrounded himself with friends and family, encouraged others, and was never afraid to try something difficult. He lived with energy, curiosity, courage, and an unmistakable desire to experience life fully. The memories he created with the people who loved him will remain a lasting part of his legacy. Zach is survived by his parents Josh and Sandra, his younger brother Dylan, his cats, Ginger and Pepper, and the many friends and extended family members he touched in his short but full life.

Services

A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 24, at Memorial, 3115 Bengal Blvd., Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121.

· 5:00–6:45 p.m. — Closed-casket viewing

· 7:00–8:00 p.m. — Memorial service, with speakers and music honoring Zach's life

· 8:00–9:00 p.m. — Gathering with desserts

For those unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed and recorded for viewing afterward.

On Tuesday, August 25, Momentum Climbing Gym, located at 7210 S. Union Park Avenue, Midvale, Utah, has graciously opened its doors for a Celebration of Life for Zach from 6:00–8:00 p.m.

This gathering will be an open opportunity to share stories, memories, and experiences that celebrate Zach's life. No charge to attend the memorial but a day pass would need to be purchased to climb. Light food and drinks will be provided. A waiver is required to enter the gym. Please complete the Momentum Climbing Gym waiver in advance, if possible.

In Lieu of Flowers

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Zach Crandall Memorial Fund, created in his honor with the hope of establishing a future scholarship or memorial opportunity in his name.

Zach lived with an adventurous spirit, a deep love for his friends, and a natural willingness to help others. His family hopes this fund will carry those qualities forward by helping another young person discover, pursue, and experience something they love.

[GoFundMe link to the Zach Crandall Memorial Fund]

Zach may be gone far too soon, but the way he lived—fearlessly, passionately, generously, and fully himself—will continue through the people he loved, the friends he encouraged, and the adventures and memories he left behind.