Connor Kelly Gage

1997 - 2012

On Friday night, Aug. 31, 2012, Connor was at a birthday party away from home with friends at Possum Kingdom Lake when he jumped off a high boat dock. Flipping in the air, he landed face first on his front side. Upon landing, Connor was stunned or knocked unconscious, and drown. He was not wearing a life jacket. He was 15 years old. Memorial service: Connor's memorial service was held Tuesday, Sept. 4, at The Hills Church of Christ in North Richland Hills. Videos honoring Connor can be found on YouTube by searching "Connor Gage." Memorials: May be made to The Connor Gage Memorial Scholarship Fund, Fort Worth Christian School, 6200 Holiday Lane, North Richland Hills, Texas 76180. Connor Kelly Gage was born April 18, 1997, in Arlington to Brett and Dana Wilson Gage. Connor had a zest for life, even as a young child. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. His brother, Riley Scott, was his best friend. They loved, laughed, sang, pranked, and enjoyed each other. They also worshipped the Lord together and were baptized on Sept. 12, 2004, together. Connor lived in Arlington and attended Larson Elementary School where he made amazing friends who remained close to him even after his family moved to North Richland Hills in 2009. In seventh grade, Connor started attending Fort Worth Christian where he excelled in academics as a National Junior Honor Society member. Connor played baseball, basketball and football, but his true love was running. Connor was 2011 District Champion in the mile and District Cross Country Champ in the fall. This year, Connor was running varsity cross country as a freshman. On Friday, Aug. 31, the day Connor died, he ran in a cross country track meet, placing 16th in a field of more than 100 runners. His big brother finished third, Connor was always following in his brother's footsteps. Connor loved to go golfing with his mom and his wonderful Uncle Steve. He loved tubing, wakeboarding and long-boarding. He loved listening to music, especially Musiq Soulchild and Kirk Franklin. He and his brother, Riley, spent many, many hours playing video games in their man cave. And, of course, he loved tweeting and texting, and you would never find him without his phone. Connor enjoyed hanging out with his friends as well as his girlfriend, Ashleigh. Connor was also a shoes and socks guy. He loved skate shoes, particularly Vans. He always made sure that his shoes and socks matched . . . very important! Connor loved his church, and attended The Hills Church of Christ in North Richland Hills. He was a regular at 24:7 youth group, went on several mission trips and attended camps where he loved to play spades with his buddies. Connor was preceded in death by Dana's parents, Richard and Dee Wilson, and Dana's brother, Steve Wilson. Survivors: His parents, Brett and Dana; brother, Riley, all of North Richland Hills; grandparents, Tom and Ann Gage of Stillwater, Okla., and Stan and Barbara Baxter of Weatherford, Okla.; his aunts and uncles, Lane Wilson of Sentinel, Okla., Robbie and Brooke Gage of Tulsa, Okla., Andy and Lauren Gage of Denver, Colo.; and a host of cousins, Chuck, Heather, Grant, Katie, Annaleigh, Bowen, Madison, Gianna and Devin. Connor also leaves behind an amazing group of extended family and friends who will never forget him.