Jared Keith Zeigler

Obituary for Jared Keith Zeigler

It is with shock, heartbreak, and a strong suspicion that Jared would have something sarcastic to say about all of this: that we announce the passing of Jared Keith Zeigler, 33, of Wilmore, Kentucky. This wasn’t planned, expected, or approved—and anyone who knew him knows he’d have a few words about that.

Jared made his debute into this world on February 11, 1993, to his Momma, Pamela D. Zeigler, arriving as a surprise twin and immediately establishing dominance by beating his brother, Jacob Kyle Zeigler McKnight, into the world by one whole minute—a lead he never let go of, and never let Jacob forget. Later in life, his bonus dad, Ray Brown, stepped in and became part of the foundation that helped shape the man Jared became.

Jared grew Up in Wilmore Ky, where he spent his spent his childhood fishing every creek he could find. Bringing home all the stray animals, whether it be dogs or birds. Jared is a graduate of West Jessamine High where he loved playing baseball, football and played a mean trumpet in the marching band. Jared graduated with honors, but his highest honor was meeting his lifelong best friend Amber.

From the beginning, Jared, Jacob, and their sister Andrea D. Yazell were less of a sibling group and more of a lifelong contact sport. They were best friends, worst enemies, and ride-or-die all in one—bound together by loyalty, history, and the kind of love that includes arguing like it’s an Olympic event. No matter how much they gave each other a hard time, there was never a question—they were his people.

And above everyone—no debate, no competition—was his Momma. Pamela wasn’t just his mother; she was his first love, his standard, and the one person whose opinion actually mattered. Jared spent his life, whether he admitted it out loud or not, trying to be the man she raised him to be. He might argue with the rest of you, but when it came to his Momma—end of discussion.

Jared’s extended family helped round him out into exactly who he was. His Aunt Melvania “Mema” Bailey made sure he was spoiled properly. His Uncle Bill made sure his vocabulary included words his Momma didn’t approve of. His sister-in-law, Angela McKnight, kept him busy with arguments he absolutely planned on winning. His cousins Kimberly and Faye were never just cousins—they were sisters. Add in a crowd of second cousins and two nieces, and Jared had plenty of people to love, aggravate, and keep on their toes.

Jared’s hobbies were simple and very on-brand: food, hunting, fishing, gaming and his friends. He valued his space and could disappear into it without warning, but when it mattered, he showed up—no questions asked. He wasn’t always loud about love, but he was consistent—and that meant more.

Becoming a crane operator on oil barges wasn’t just something Jared did—it was something he set his sights on and achieved. It was his goal, his proof, his “I made it” moment. In a world where a lot of things didn’t come easy or go as planned, this was something he earned through grit and determination. He was proud of it—and he had every right to be.

He had a sharp tongue, a quicker wit, and absolutely no filter when it came to telling the truth as he saw it. If you wanted honesty, Jared delivered it—whether you were ready for it or not. He could make you laugh, make you mad, and somehow still have you looking forward to the next conversation.

Jared was preceded in death by his sister, Kristina Elizabeth Yazell, and his grandfather, Abijah N. Chasteen Sr.—and it’s safe to assume he’s already caught them up on everything they missed, with colorful commentary.

Jared leaves behind a family who loved him fiercely and a space that cannot be filled. Especially his Momma, his brother, and his sister—who didn’t just lose Jared, they lost a piece of themselves. The kind of bond they shared doesn’t go away—it just gets carried differently now.

In true Jared fashion, he also leaves behind unfinished plans, arguments he was still convinced he was winning, and a lifetime of stories that will only get better (and probably more exaggerated) with time.

In lieu of flowers, Jared would say call your Momma. Check on your siblings. Show up for your people. Because if there’s anything his passing has made painfully clear, it’s that time doesn’t wait—and Jared sure didn’t plan on leaving this early.

A celebration of Jared’s life will be held at Mothes Funeral Home, where there will be laughter through tears, stories that get interrupted because someone says, “That’s not how it happened,” and more than once, someone shaking their head and saying, “That was so Jared.”