Gabe's Story

It is sometimes said that “Life is not measured in Years, but in Moments.” Such is the case for a 17 year old young man named Gabe Henderson. He passed away due to a tragic boating accident while enjoying the day with his friends, April 27, 2020. Gabe was wise beyond his years, influencing young and old alike with his sense of humor, compassion and ability to motivate and encourage everyone to be the very best they could be.  

Gabe led by example. He pushed himself physically and mentally everyday to be of excellence with his athletic skills and at the same time perfected new facial expressions to coax a smile out of anyone who may have needed one. He excelled in football, track and basketball, while maintaining high achieving grades in AP classes. His hard work had paid off, having been offered a number of football scholarships at major universities throughout the country. Gabe’s long term goal post college was to become an attorney. Gabe was loved by his family, coaches, teachers, classmates and friends as well as other students at local competing schools. There is a void that can never be filled but his spirit remains alive in the hearts and minds of everyone he touched or ever met. Gabe played Little League Football for the Tuckahoe Tomahawks and the Holman Middle School Huskies, as well as the Battle Elite Team Mach 1. He competed in Code Lacrosse, Bon Air Basketball League and AAU Basketball.  

Gabe participated in Young Life activities. He loved to fish, jet ski and be on the water boating. Gabe was an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan. He was so proud of his black Ford F-150 and just about washed the paint from it. His “boys” say he was a great wingman when it came to the girls. No one loved a big steak dinner or some great seafood as well as Gabe. There was always a bright smile on Gabe’s face and his laugh was infectious. He would always befriend any new kid and integrate them into the crowd. He was absolutely fearless and always the one to do something new “first.” He was Mr. Stylish and started several trends among others. Gabe was widely teased about being so particular about his curls that always smelled of all the Pantene he used, and his big hugs that left the lingering scent.  

Gabe truly made everyone feel that they were his best friend because he had a knack of making everyone feel special. Gabe was the Class Clown, picked up after his friends’ messes due to his obsession to have everything clean and lived on the edge to fully live his life. Gabe was quite the dancer and always the center of the social scene. One of his friends said, “Gabe was not the life of the party...He was the party.”

Gabe wore a gold cross and a #10 (his Deep Run Football number) around his neck always. The cross symbolized his faith and trust in God, who now holds him closely.

The students at Deep Run High School led the way and planned a special and loving tribute to their friend and classmate. The outside of Deep Run Wildcats Football Stadium became their canvas for the portrait of love with flowers, memorabilia, and signs. With the support of the coaching staff, teachers, administration and especially the student body this outpouring of Pure Love blessed not only the family but the entire community. A theme evolved from this tribute. It showed up on signs, posters and banners at the stadium and on roadways. It said, “Live Like 10.” The organization and the movement was born; “Gabe Henderson Live Like 10.” A  vision for young athletes that would provide resources for physical, mental, academic and spiritual growth in hopes of inspiring recipients to share lessons learned with Encouragement, Love and Laughter....Just like Gabe would have wanted it.