LITTLE ELM, Texas — As Pam and Troy Zinszer walked hand-in-hand along a wooded path their son often frequented, they reminisced on his many adventures.
“He had so many fun vehicles,” Pam said.
The husband and wife, who just held their son’s celebration of life over the weekend, are still reeling from the loss of their 29-year-old son, Taryn “Taz” Zinszer. They agreed to an interview with WFAA in hopes that they could honor their son’s life.
Taz was the owner and operator of Two Wheel Toys, a motorcycle shop in Little Elm.
“I loved that boy so much,” Troy said as he fought back tears. “He loved life and adventure.”
Taz, who lived in Little Elm, loved motorcycles and dirt bikes and recently began kayaking.
On Saturday, March 15, he decided to take his kayak to Lewisville Lake.
“He was just chilling. I’m sure he saw the sunset right before. The water was a little choppy that night. It was getting dark,” Pam said.
Troy, who said he and his son were like two peas in a pod, said he was taking a nap when his phone suddenly rang at around 9 p.m. It was Taz. He calls and visits daily, Troy said, so he didn’t think much of it.
However, it turned out to be the worst kind of call any parent could receive.
“He’s in a panic, ‘Dad, I flipped in a kayak. I’m in the middle of the lake, and I don’t think I can make it.’ He’s like, ‘The kayak pushed away from me,’” Troy recalled. “He goes, ‘I’m floating toward the toll bridge, but I don’t think I’m gonna make it. He says dad, I’m so sorry,’…and then the phone went dead.”
Troy, who lives nearby, rushed to his son’s favorite area of the lake and began calling out his name. It was windy. Taz was nowhere in sight.
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, crews with the Lewisville Fire Department recovered Taz’s body at around 11 p.m. He was found wearing a life jacket just south of the Lewisville Toll Bridge.
Taz’s cause of death is still pending, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.
“I’ve always been able to rescue him,” Troy said. “I just want him to hear my voice and know dad’s here, it’s gonna be okay.”
Tory and Pam said they’re overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and tributes from people who knew Taz.
“I just love him so much, and I miss him so much,” Troy said. “The silence is killing us. We were so involved in each other’s lives. It hurts so much.”
His parents said he loved his family and dogs and described him as the best son and brother.
They hope his memory will inspire others to keep their children close and go on adventures with their loved ones, just like they did with Taz.