Rudy Zevallos Jr Obituary, Death – Family and friends are grieving the unexpected death of 18-year-old Rudy “Junior” Zevallos Jr., a high school senior from Missouri who tragically collapsed at the finish line of a half marathon. Zevallos, remembered for his loving nature and determination, passed away after completing the Frog Hill Half Marathon in Waynesville, Missouri. He was rushed to the hospital but later died, as reported by KY3. The cause of death is currently undetermined, though his family mentioned on GoFundMe that his body temperature became fatally high, leading to heart failure. The official cause of death will not be confirmed for several weeks, according to the Pulaski County coroner.
Zevallos’ family described him as a loving son, brother, and friend with a fierce competitive spirit. He was passionate about hiking, working on his car, and participating in family game nights. His friend and co-worker, Mike McCoy, spoke fondly of him, noting his kindness and the way he made everyone feel special.
A driven young man with clear goals, Zevallos had planned to join the U.S. Marine Corps in March, following in his father’s footsteps. He was set to graduate from high school early to pursue this path. In his hometown of Lebanon, Missouri, the community is mourning his loss. A memorial has been set up outside the 7 Brew coffee shop, where he had worked for about a year. Natalie Young, Zevallos’ manager, reflected on how he impacted everyone he met, emphasizing his outgoing personality and readiness to embrace adulthood. Despite being only 18, Young said, Zevallos had big ambitions and had already mapped out his future. His untimely death cut short his plans, leaving his friends and co-workers saddened by the lost potential.
Zevallos was well-liked at the coffee shop, where he easily connected with customers and colleagues. He found common ground with almost everyone he encountered, building friendships through his kind and outgoing personality. McCoy, a friend and fellow employee, recalled how much he enjoyed working alongside Zevallos, always appreciating his presence and their conversations.
One of Zevallos’ personal milestones was getting his first tattoo when he turned 18. About a year earlier, he had met tattoo artist Mason Hodges at the gym, and the two became fast friends. Hodges, the co-owner of Dark Arts Studio in Lebanon, remembered Zevallos as having a positive energy and a friendly nature. Following Zevallos’ death, Hodges has designed memorial tattoos, with proceeds going to support the high school senior’s family. Hodges said it was difficult to create the designs due to the significant impact Zevallos had on so many people in the community through his warm and loving personality.
Zevallos is survived by his parents and two older sisters. His family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of his memorial services, noting the outpouring of love and support from the community. The fundraising page expresses the deep sorrow felt by those who knew him, describing Zevallos’ death as a devastating loss.
One of Zevallos’ goals was to complete the marathon in under two hours, a feat he achieved by finishing in one hour and 58 minutes. His family takes some comfort in the fact that he was able to fulfill this personal ambition before his sudden passing.
In response to his death, the Lebanon R-3 Public School district released a statement offering condolences to Zevallos’ family and friends. The school acknowledged that he was a friend to many and an active student who had a clear vision for his future, aiming to graduate and join the Marine Corps. The school expressed its support for the community, encouraging anyone struggling with grief to seek counseling services.
The loss of Rudy “Junior” Zevallos has deeply affected those who knew him, with many remembering his positive energy, strong sense of determination, and the impact he had on their lives. As the community comes together to mourn, they are left with cherished memories of the young man whose bright future was tragically cut short.