It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Zachary Paul Kilgore on October 31, 2025.
Zach was born on November 8, 1993 to Joyce (Pike) Gooding and Paul Kilgore in Liberty, Missouri and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended Platte County High School and Northland Career Center for Diesel Mechanics. Zach made his own living arrangements at an early age and worked in Warehouse until he decided he wanted to join the Army. Fortunately, he was placed within an MOS he enjoyed, and was sent to AIT to become a CH-47 mechanic with graduation in 2018. He was transferred to Company D 7-158 Aviation Regiment. In 2019, he graduated Flight Engineer School and became a Crew Chief. He appreciated his brothers-in-arms and loved maintaining and flying the Chinook helicopter. Zach was promoted to the rank of Specialist and successfully completed the Basic Leadership Course in 2021 so he could be promoted to Sergeant. He was released from Active Duty Training under completion of his service with an honorable discharge and was to be released from Reserve Obligation in 2026. Zach awards are as follows: Basic Aviation Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon.
Zach deeply loved and cherished his family and friends. Zach took great pleasure in being a father along with teaching and playing guitar with his boys. He enjoyed watching movies and shows with his wife, camping, fishing, having a beer after work, hanging out with friends, and driving and working on his dream truck. Zach was loved deeply by his family and friends and will be profoundly missed. He will be remembered as a loving, devoted husband and father, son and brother, uncle and friend.
Zach was preceded in death by his father Paul Kilgore. Zach is survived by his wife Rachel (Raney) Kilgore, whom he married on November 10, 2018. He is also survived by his children Lucas, Parker and Owen; his mother Joyce and step-father Tim, his brothers Cody, Josh and Garrett and sister Becca; numerous nieces and nephews, grandparents, and aunts and uncles.
Services will be held at Rollins Funeral Home in Platte City with visitation at 1 p.m. and funeral at 2 p.m. Burial to follow at Platte City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations to help with the funeral expenses. Arrangements By: Rollins Funeral Home of Platte City, MO.
