Isaiah "Zay" Donald Benavides

McBain — Isaiah “Zay” Donald Benavides was lovingly welcomed into the glories of Heaven on Saturday, January 18, 2025. In his mother's arms with his dad by his side, Isaiah took his final breath here on earth and his next brought him to Jesus where he was healed from cancer. He was 6 years old. 

Isaiah was born in Cadillac, MI to Brent and Ayla (Spaulding) Benavides on April 30, 2018. He loved all things outdoors - hunting, fishing, riding quads, bonfires, camping, fireworks, shed hunting and all of nature. He had a special love for nerf guns and nerf wars. 

Zay will be remembered for his beautiful smile, his laugh and gruesome battle with childhood cancer. He was an incredible inspiration to thousands with his families and communities unending love, faith and advocacy in fighting this evil disease. Zay battled fiercely and fought for 2.5 years. He never stopped and he never gave up. He is and will always be our Warrior Zay. 

The love, support and prayers of the thousands of people who were, and continue to be, prayer warriors for Zay and our family, will never be forgotten. We know that our faith in Jesus Christ was the driving force in our determination to fight this battle. Isaiah brought many to know the Lord in his 6 years. He was an equipped, heroic disciple with a mission, and he served his mission well. Zay, you changed the world.

Isaiah is survived by his parents, Brent and Ayla, and little sister, Willow; paternal great-grandparents, Nancy Osak and Phil and Diane Scholten; maternal grandparents, Kevin and Jody Spaulding; paternal grandparents, Rick Benavides and Linda Osak Benavides and Darius Varner; uncles and aunts, Josh and Abbey Spaulding and Brock and Kelli Benavides; and cousins, Ivan, Charli Jo and Klint. 

He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Donald Osak and Ed and Alice Gilde.

A special thank you to our oncologist, Dr. Beth Kurt, for her astounding care and compassion during our fight. We are forever grateful for who you are and what you did for Zay.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Northern Michigan Christian School in McBain on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 1 p.m. A short visitation will be held from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. prior to the service. Due to respect of the family, a private burial will be held.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions to Rhabdomyosarcoma research or Childhood Cancer Advocacies. There is only 4% of federal funding going to researching childhood cancer, which is less than $3.00 per child. This is a sad reality of pediatric cancer. As parents who did anything and everything to save our son, our kids deserve so much more. They are worth more than 4%.

Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.Hitesman-Holdship.com.

The family is being served by Hitesman-Holdship Funeral Home.

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