Zachary Allen Long was born September 21, 1984 in Springfield, MO to Frederick Cron and Lori Long. Lori married David Coleman and had two more boys, Joe and Nick. Fred found Christa and gave him four amazing step siblings, Jesse, William, Amanda & Victoria before adding two more brothers, Garrett and Benjamin to the crew. He grew up in the Springfield area and also spent some time in Oklahoma. He graduated from Nixa High School in 2004.

He worked various jobs before being introduced into the pipeline industry working for a directional drilling company. This job took him all over the country and even allowed him to work and live in Mexico for a while making lifetime friends and memories before taking him to North Dakota at the beginning of the oil boom. Fate and a rainy day led him to a chance meeting with the woman that would become his wife. From day one, Zach & Natalie were inseparable and there was no doubt that this was a once in a lifetime love. Zach made the hard decision to leave his beloved pipeline crew and make a permanent move to Stanley, ND to build his future. This brought him to a new job in the oilfield, starting with Antler Oilfield Services, and eventually to his job with Devon Energy. He was exceptionally smart and excelled at all aspects of his job and took great pride in his work. He loved to talk oilfield.

Zach married Natalie Kuster at a picturesque horse ranch in Branson, MO on October 17, 2015. It was the most perfect start to their mostly perfect life together. Although Natalie wanted to honeymoon in Florida, they compromised.. (well maybe just Natalie compromised), and they attended a Kansas City Chiefs football game instead. They were blessed with their first son, Beckett David in late 2018 and shortly after, in 2020, Bowen Allen completed their family.

Zach was an extremely generous soul that would do anything for anyone, with a larger than life and goofy personality. He was a sports fan (to a fault if you ask Nat) and spent most Sundays watching football, hockey, baseball or napping through a Nascar race. For his 40th birthday he was lucky enough to take a trip to Bristol, TN for a night race and finally got to see his favorite driver, Dale Jr., race. He loved to hunt with family, even though he and Ashley spent more time arguing and teasing each other (and wasting bullets) than actually shooting deer. Deer season was the only time he would willingly get out of bed before sunrise and usually even before his alarm would go off. He was an amazing, affectionate husband, there was never a goodbye that didn’t include an I love you and a kiss, and an even better Daddy, spending much time patiently playing games with his boys and building whatever Lego sets or toys they brought home. He was ultimately a homebody who looked forward to Friday pizza and movie nights snuggled on the couch. But on the rare occasion Natalie was able to get him out of the house, he was always the life of the party. He was a serial procrastinator and loved to tell Natalie “You don’t have to tell me every six months, I will do it” just to tick her off. He absolutely adored his nieces and nephews, and it can confidently be said that those feelings were mutual. He was a lover of dogs and could not pass one on the street, see one on TV or even a picture of one without saying “Can I pet that dog?!” Shortly before his passing Zach & Natalie were able to take a much-needed trip to Mexico with some great friends and were already planning to make this a tradition.

Zach was so loved and will be missed by all that were lucky enough to get to be a part of his life. Beckett says he will miss spending time at home with Daddy and Bowen thinks Daddy’s snuggles are what he will miss most. Both feel very blessed to have their very own guardian angel looking out for them. Rest in peace, my love, you are gone but will never be forgotten.

Zach is survived by the love of his life, Natalie; and their two amazing boys, Beckett and Bowen; mom, Lori Coleman; dad, Fred and ‘other mother’ Christa; siblings, Joseph Coleman, Nicholas Coleman, Garrett (Ally) Cron, Benjamin Cron, Jesse Bebout, Amanda (Paul) Chillino, Victoria (Brad) Francis and William Shelton; mother and father in law, Bill & Ronda Kuster; brothers and sisters in law, Jim (Ashley) Kuster, Alisha (Dusty) Fladeland and Michaela (Josh) Nichols; grandparents, Bill & Donna Roberts; nieces and nephews, Bodie, Hadley, Nayvi and Stoney Fladeland, James, Noah and Karter Kuster, Hank and Hailey Nichols, Elliott and Elijah Coleman, Isaac Coleman, Khloey and Brinley Shelton, Kennedy and Nolan Chillino, Addison and Alex Francis; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his stepdad, David Coleman; several grandparents; his dear Aunt Lisa; and his beloved dogs, Sasha, Buck & Sheba.

Zach was a t-shirt and jeans kind of guy, so if attending his service, please dress casually. He would probably even appreciate a silly t-shirt or two in the crowd.