Zachery Tims Death: Supporter Publishes Online Memorial for Florida Pastor
A supporter has set up an online memorial dedicated to deceased Apopka, Fla., pastor Zachery Tims, which has attracted dozens of tributes and comments from visitors to the website.
A user named "Cam" organized the memorial, according to information listed on the website, Findagrave.com.
The tribute to Tims includes his date of birth and death information, a short biography, photos, including one apparently of his headstone, and a forum on which visitors can post their own messages of comfort along with virtual candles, crosses and bouquets of flowers.
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"Pastor Tims you were indeed a candle in the wind," said user Margaretha. "No matter how tough times got for you the light of christ would shine so brighly through your face. You shined like the bright morning star."
She continued, "I absolutely loved seeing you on TBN - it was such a treat! I was always blessed knowing you knew so much about God's word. I thank the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation and then I thank you for never giving up on God and always being a candle in the wind!"
The 42-year-old pastor of the New Destiny Christian Center (NDCC) in Apopka, Fla. was found dead in a New York City hotel room on Aug. 12, 2011.
Sources claim that at the scene of his death, a small bag of white powder was found in Tims' right pants pocket.
It is unclear if Tims died of a drug overdose. The toxicology results have not been released to the public, and Tims' mother has recently filed a lawsuit against the City of New York and the medical examiner's office in an effort to keep the results private.
Many fear that if the results are not released, the suspicion of a drug overdose will simply continue to loom over the pastor's death.
In 1994, Tims and his wife founded the New Destiny church, which has grown to nearly 8,000 members since. Throughout his career, he hosted and appeared on many Christian radio and television programs. He left behind four children along with his mother, grandmother and ex-wife.
User Jackie wrote on Tims' memorial page, "My deepest heartfelt condolences to Pastor Tims' loving family, friends and his congregation during this most difficult time. He will be missed dearly by all who loved him. May your new journey Pastor Tims be a peaceful one and may you forever Rest in Peace."
Findagrave.com allows the general public to post memorials for any figure. As of Tuesday morning, Steve Jobs was the most popular searched for figure on the website, with more than 600 notes added to his page.
