Zaiden "Z” Kyng O'Neal

Zaiden "Z" Kyng O'Neal, 4, of Waterloo, Iowa, died suddenly Thursday rnorning, November 20, 2025, at a Waterloo Hospital.

Z was born December 30, 2020, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa, to Koara O'Rourke and Tyriq O'Neal. Z was a preschool student in Waterloo. His favorite color was orange. He loved his brothers, William and Kyrie, dinosaurs, cars, Toy Story, Sonic and playing outside on the swings and slide. Z brought immense joy to everyone who was blessed to know him. His laughter would light up a room. It was contagious, pure and unforgettable. As a preschooler, he was a bright and enjoyed learning to read, write and explore numbers. Z dreamed of becoming a teacher one day. He will be always lovingly remembered and sadly missed.

His family include his mom and dad; brothers, William and Kyrie; a sister, Sanaya; grandparents, Jamie and Anthony Arp of Grand Mound, Iowa, Angela First of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Corinna and Raymond Carpenter of Tipton, Iowa, Byron First of Anamosa, Iowa, and Debbie Tobiason of Wisconsin; great-grandparents, Candace Ford of Wheatland; Marsha Carpenter and Cyde Beatty of Tipton and Tracy and Mike Frymoyer of Moscow, Iowa; great-great-grandpa, Keith First of Anamosa; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.  Also, his best friend and "girlfriend", Namari Mitchell.

Preceding Z in death was his grandma, Dianne First; great-grandpa, Jeffery Ford; great-grandma, Helen Tobiason and great-grandpa, Donald Tobiason.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 1:00 until 4;00 p.m. Saturday, December 20, 2025, at The Gathering, 519 Cedar Street in Tipton, Iowa.  

Ackerman Funeral Directors & Cremation Service is caring for the arrangements. (563) 659-8574.