Lexington boy with rare rapid aging disease who ‘lit up a room’ has died, minister says

Zach Pickard, a 17-year-old who had the rare rapid-aging disease progeria has died, his Lexington minister said in an online message to church members Sunday.

Michael Swartzentruber, Senior Minister of South Elkhorn Christian Church said in the message:

“I write to share the news that Zach Pickard peacefully entered the eternal embrace of God’s everlasting care Sunday morning,” Swartzentruber said in his message. “Zach’s 17 years of life brought joy, laughter and great love, even as he endured Progeria.”

“Zach lit up a room, including at South Elkhorn, where he was a beloved member,” he said. “Please join me in lifting up with love and prayer Zach’s parents, Tina and Brandon, as they both grieve and celebrate his unique and wondrous life. They also request privacy at this time.”

The Herald-Leader followed Zach, an intellectually sophisticated child, from the time he was a baby.

“Progeria patients — and there are only a few in the world — have tiny bodies and bald heads with prominent veins. They lack body fat, their tiny fingers seeming almost too frail to take up pen and paper. Zach’s legs are spindly, his knees prominent, his voice tiny, but precise,” a Herald-Leader article said in 2018.

A visitation will be at South Elkhorn Christian Church on Friday, September 6 from 6:00-9:00 PM. A service will be held at South Elkhorn on Saturday, September 7 at 11:00 AM.

Visitation and the service will both be in the Christian Ministry Center, the minister said.