Alejandro “Alex” Zapata, 29, a resident of Iron Creek Drive,  Washington, passed away Monday, March 26, 2012, at his home. A celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Harvest Church, officiated by Pastor Martha Garro. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. Members of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office will serve as pallbearers. Juan Zapata,Jr., Julio Zapata, Jesus Zapata, Javier Zapata, Antonio Meza and Margarito Meza will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. today at Hillside Funeral Service, 4500 U.S. Highway 264 East, Washington.

Alex was born March 7, 1983, in Avon Park, Fla., son of Juan Fransico and Petra Meza Zapata. He has lived in North Carolina for the past 18 years and graduated from Bear Grass High School in 2001. Alex was married to the former Daisy Villanueva and they have two daughters. He was a deputy sheriff employed with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. Alex was a member of Manantial de Vida in Winterville.

In addition to his wife and parents, Alex is survived by his daughters, Daralyn and Daily Zapata of the home, his brothers Juan, Jesus and Javier Zapata, all of Washington and Julio Zapata of Greenville, and his sisters Laura Perez and Veronica Zapata of Washington and Alma Guadalupe of Mexico.

Alex served as an example to all people by his devotion and love for God, praising His name, through his pain and suffering to the very last minute before leaving this earth. His example will be remembered by all of those who knew him.

Thanks Alex, we love you.

Memorials may be made to his children, 203 Iron Creek Drive, Washington, NC 27889.

You may share a memory with the family and view Alex’s video tribute by visiting www.hillsidefuneralservice.com.

Hillside Funeral Service & Cremations, 4500 U.S. Highway 264 East, Washington, has been given the honor of being entrusted with serving the Zapata family.