11/07/2025
Zachary Triggs
It is with heavy heart and sincere regret that we announce that on October 6th, 2025 Zachary Triggs passed into his eternal life. He was born on December 26, 1978. Zach will be remembered by everyone who ever met him, even if they never learned his name. From the cashier at the gas station to the guy running the taco truck, Zach made everyone feel seen and cared about, even if just for a moment. Zach was dangerously charming, witty, and funny, which all served him well because with all of the trouble he would get into I would have probably had to write this obituary a lot sooner if he hadn't been. Zach lived every moment of his life in a way most people only read about or see portrayed by a fictional character on TV. This resulted in his needing to talk his way out of so many hairy situations that I'm surprised we both lived long enough to get grey in our beards. I'll share a couple of these stories here.
On 11/07/2000, while most people were watching George W. Bush win the presidential election, Zach pulled in front of my house in his legendary "Firechicken" (1967 Pontiac Firebird). He put it in neutral and smashed the gas pedal to let me know he was there, I'm not sure I ever heard the horn on that thing. He wanted to race his Firechicken against my RX-7, but not just any race. He wanted to race 90 miles from Sparks NV, to Pyramid Lake, then down a different highway back to Sparks. I can't remember who won, I mostly just remember dodging the cows in the canyon between Wadsworth and Nixon, but that was a Tuesday night with Zach as your friend.
Another time Zach pulled up in front of my house and asked if I wanted to go swimming. I thought we would be going to a community center or something. He had other plans. A new golf course had just filled their pond and the water was crystal clear. Not wanting to let the full moon and the new pond go to waste, this is where Zach wanted to swim. Only problem was the inevitable police chase for trespassing if we got caught. Zach parked his Bronco about 100 yards into the nearby desert, and explained that we would just have to run and drive out into the desert to hide if we saw anyone coming, which is exactly what happened. What he didn't explain was that we would need to do it off road, without headlights, dripping wet, and with me looking over our shoulders at the two Sparks PD Grand Cherokees driving the roads trying to figure out where we had disappeared to. It was going to be hard to explain to my parents why I was late getting home on a school night, so it's a good thing I had Zach with me. He charmed them for a few minutes, then apologized for bringing me back late. He never kept his watch near the hot tub, but he'll be sure to keep a better eye on the time next outing.
I've never met a man who could shoot a rabbit mid jump, with a pistol, in his left hand, while driving a truck down a bumpy dirt road with his right. Or a man who could convince a 300lb gorilla-man to back down while wearing a pink Powderpuff Girl shirt. Or could quote John Adam's and the Jerky Boys the in same breath. No man but Zach.
These are just the safest stories that I'm not afraid for our kids (and mom's) to read. Multiply these stories over years, and that's what it was like to have Zach as your best friend. He was the closest thing to a brother I have ever had, and even typing this I still can't believe he's gone. Zach was too big, too larger-than-life to die. He used to ask me, usually before we did something extremely stupid, "what's wrong Steve, did you wanna live forever?" No, man, I want you to. I miss you, more than you can imagine, and I can't tell you how much I would give for one last adventure.
Zach lived an amazing life, he was a hunter, a great cook, an Eagle Scout, and more fun than any one person had any right to be. Zach was a patriot like most men want their tee shirts, and bumper stickers to convince you they are. He was arrested for peacefully, and legally collecting signatures to petition for better governing practices. Zach participated in the push to bring open carry laws to Nevada. He loved freedom, family, and God, and was unmoving in his principles.
Zach leaves a legacy like none other, which lives on in his amazing children, Alaric, Natalya, Lillian, Josiah, Tatyana, Oliver, Scarlett, Cortes, Ashby, Arminius, Forrest, Zhaleh, and Guinevere. Zach leaves behind his devoted wife, Kristen, who has lived his adventure with him for 23 years. Seeing the way Zach loved Kristen taught me a lot about how enduring love can be. Zach will be also be missed by his sister, Esther, who was his best friend before I was. Also missing Zach are his parents, Janine Marie Hanson & Michael Wayne Triggs.
Thank you Zach, from all of us, for so many stories we got to live with you, for all you taught us, for all you did to help us. You will be missed every moment from now until we meet again in the halls of Valhalla, where the brave may live forever.
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