Thomas Zachary Blanchard

Thomas Zachary "Zach" Blanchard, 38, passed away on May 16, 2026 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina after a brief illness, with his family by his side.

Zach was born on December 15, 1987 in Richmond, Virginia. In 1993, he moved with his family to his childhood home of Southern Shores. Growing up on the Outer Banks, Zach developed a natural affinity for the water and spent his free time fishing, crabbing, sailing, and just being on the water. His lifelong passion for sports started early; even as a young boy, he eagerly woke up before school just to catch SportsCenter. It was an obsession that stayed with him throughout his entire life. Zach was a natural athlete and played every sport Dare County Recreation offered, finally settling on baseball and football in high school.

In the fall of 2006, Zach enrolled at UNC Chapel Hill. From that point on, though he was not "Tar Heel Born," he was "Tar Heel Bred". The people he met on his freshman hall remained his core friends for the rest of his life. Zach transformed his obsession with sports into an obsession with UNC's sports teams, particularly basketball. A highlight he often spoke of from his time there was storming Franklin Street after the 2009 Men's Basketball Championship win.

After graduation, Zach remained in Chapel Hill as a proud member of the "Everyday is Saturday Club" for several months before beginning his career. He began conducting agricultural research at BASF, which awakened in him a love of growing food. He developed passions for sustainable agriculture and culinary experimentation, which he fulfilled in his garden and kitchen. Zach later built a career in laboratory safety at UNC and the EPA.

As a child, an instinct to travel was set in Zach as he took multiple bareboat charters with his family to the British Virgin Islands. Once he reached college, Zach expanded his travels to see all the world had to offer as he crossed Europe, Africa, Central America, and New Zealand.

Most of all, Zach loved his two boys, Miles George Blanchard and Finn Thomas Blanchard. He rejoiced in his role as a father and celebrated their every accomplishment. He is survived by Miles and Finn (mother Carrie), his parents, Scott and Toni Blanchard, and his brothers, Walker (Kavya) Blanchard, and Michael (Katie) Blanchard and their children Sawyer and Lynleigh.

No formal service is planned; instead, a gathering of family and friends will be held at his parents' home on June 13 from 3:00-6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to A Place at the Table in Raleigh, a 'pay what you can' nonprofit cafe which Zach loved.