Gavan was only 21. His life was taken from us suddenly, and our hearts are broken. But we do not grieve as those who have no hope.
We are deeply thankful for the years God gave us with him: for his laugh, his heart, and every moment we got to share. Twenty-one years was not enough time, but it was a gift, and we will treasure it forever.
Losing a friend your own age is a different kind of shock. It can make the world feel unsafe and the future uncertain. Your grief is just as valid as anyone’s. Stay close to each other. Check in on the friend who’s gone quiet. Honor Gavan by living fully, loving well, and taking care of yourselves and one another.
None of us expected to say goodbye to Gavan so soon. His passing reminds us of something we often forget: our lives are short, and tomorrow is not promised to any of us.
That truth isn’t meant to make us afraid. It’s an invitation to live with purpose. Say “I love you” today. Forgive quickly. Call the people you’ve been meaning to call. Hold your family close. And most of all, make sure your heart is ready to meet God.
Death is not the end of the story. Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again, defeating death itself, so that all who trust in Him can have eternal life.
If you’ve never placed your trust in Jesus, we would love for this moment to be the beginning of hope for you. God’s love is not something you earn. It is a free gift.
What sin is. The Bible’s word for sin means “to miss the mark.” It is falling short of what God asks of us. “Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4)
We all fall short. “For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
Jesus paid the price for us. “But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Salvation is a gift we receive by faith. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Anyone can come to Him. “That if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
If you are ready, you can talk to God right now, in your own words or with a simple prayer like this:
Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I need You. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead. I ask You to forgive me and come into my life. I trust You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for loving me and giving me eternal life. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, or if you have questions about faith, please reach out. We would be honored to pray with you, and we’d love to help you find a church family to walk with you.
24/7 Prayer Hotline: 719-635-1111 (Andrew Wommack)
The Rock Church, Conway, SC: rockc3.com · 843-488-1195
Living Stones Church, Kailua-Kona, HI: livingstoneschurch.com · 808-326-7720
In loving memory of Gavan. We will see you again.
If you’re here, you are probably carrying a heavy heart. Whether you were Gavan’s family, his close friend, or someone whose life he touched, your grief is real and it matters. We put this page together because we want to walk alongside you.
Grief after a sudden loss can be overwhelming, and it doesn’t always look the way people expect. You may feel some of these, all of them, or something else entirely:
Shock and disbelief. It may not feel real. You may keep expecting a text or a call from him.
Deep sadness. Waves of tears that come without warning, sometimes in the middle of an ordinary moment.
Anger or “why” questions. At the circumstances, at the unfairness, even at God. He is big enough to hold your honest questions.
Guilt or regret. Thinking about things left unsaid or undone.
Exhaustion and fog. Trouble sleeping, eating, concentrating, or remembering things.
Moments of peace or even laughter. These aren’t betrayals of your grief. They’re part of healing, and he would want you to have them.
All of these are normal. There is no right way to grieve and no deadline for feeling “better.”
Let yourself feel it. You don’t have to be strong all the time. Tears are not a lack of faith. Jesus Himself wept at the grave of His friend Lazarus (John 11:35).
Talk about him. Say Gavan’s name. Tell stories. Share them on the memory page of this site. Remembering out loud keeps his love alive among us.
Take care of your body. Grief is physically draining. Drink water, eat something even if it’s small, rest when you can, and get outside for a little fresh air and sunlight.
Don’t isolate. Accept the meal, the hug, the phone call. Let people sit with you. You don’t have to explain how you feel.
Bring your grief to God. You don’t need perfect words. The Psalms are full of honest cries of sorrow. Psalm 23, Psalm 34, Psalm 46, and Psalm 121 are good places to start.
Be gentle with hard days. His birthday, holidays, anniversaries, a certain song, a place you went together: these may bring fresh waves of grief, even years from now. Plan ahead for those days and let someone know you might need company.
Ask for help. If you feel stuck, hopeless, or unable to get through daily life, please talk to a pastor, a grief counselor, or a doctor. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Show up. You don’t need the perfect words. “I’m so sorry. I love you. I’m here.” is enough.
Say his name. Most grieving people want to hear their loved one remembered, not avoided.
Offer something specific. Instead of “Let me know if you need anything,” try “I’m bringing dinner Thursday” or “Can I take the kids Saturday afternoon?”
Keep showing up. The weeks and months after the funeral are often the loneliest. A text or card a month or a year later means more than you know.
Listen more than you speak. You don’t have to explain or fix the loss. Just be present.
Heavenly Father, our hearts are broken. We miss Gavan more than words can say. Thank You for the gift of his life and for every moment of love we shared with him. Hold us close in our sorrow. Comfort every heart that is hurting. Give us peace that passes understanding, and strength for each day. Help us to live with purpose and love, and fill us with the hope of eternity with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, any time. They help with overwhelming grief too, not just crisis.