Gavin McKay Gibson

With hearts overflowing with love and sorrow, we celebrate the precious life of Gavin McKay Gibson, who was born on July 15, 2019, in Fort Myers, Florida, and passed away on October 26, 2025, in the same city that welcomed him into the world. Though Gavin's time with us was far too short, every one of his 2,295 days was a gift to everyone who met him- a radiant burst of joy, elbow pokes, and wonder that forever changed the hearts of those who loved him.
From the very beginning, Gavin was a spark of energy and light. He entered the world curious and full of motion, a little adventurer whose spirit could never be contained. Whether he was zooming around in his mini Jeep, riding his electric balance bike for hours and hours (more batteries always on standby), chasing after, and being chased by, his cousin Lydia with laughter echoing through the air, or simply constantly running barefoot under the sunshine Gavin lived life with a joy so pure that it lifted everyone who knew him.
Gavin's love for his family was as boundless as his imagination. He adored his sisters. He was a tender big brother to Koah and Autumn, who adored him endlessly. Their laughter, games, and hugs filled the Gibson home with a love that will echo there forever. His parents, Wade and Amanda, were the center of his world and he theirs. Home with them was his safe place. Gavin's life was surrounded by family who cherished him deeply: his "Gramma" Angel, Grandpa Dave, Grandma Jennifer and Grandpa Wade, "Nanny" Kim and "Pappa" Shawn, along with great-grandparents, countless aunts, uncles, and cousins who were all blessed to be part of his beautiful journey.
Gavin had a heart that saw wonder everywhere. He loved music and was very specific about what he liked. Some of his most treasured moments were spent hitting golf balls with his dad, playing in the water and having simple joys that will now live forever in memory. His favorite color, bright yellow, suited him perfectly - sunny, cheerful, and impossible to miss. His love of The Bee Movie turned into a love of bees. He loved to watch how they moved, danced on the flowers, and how something so small could make the world so sweet.
His love for life extended to the simplest pleasures that we take for granted, like the melody of a song, the sunlight on the water, or the beautiful structures that surround us, but also to the deep connections he formed with those around him, even when people did not realize he was connecting because it looked different. As a child with autism Gavin helped the people around him understand how to fit themselves into HIS world. He was non-verbal but he spoke volumes with his energy and he could read yours fluently. He attended therapy with BASS ABA and his time at his ABA therapy center was a special chapter in his story. There, Gavin shone even brighter, building cherished bonds with his care team, and teaching everyone he met that differences are what make us extraordinary. Through his openness and courage, Gavin reminded us that every person's uniqueness is something to be celebrated and SEEN, not hidden.
Gavin's light, though brief in years, was vast in its reach. He showed us how to live fully, love deeply, and see beauty in every small moment. His laughter and elbow pokes still linger in the hearts of his family and friends, a memory of love that will never fade. Though Gavin's earthly journey has ended, his spirit will continue to shine in the lives of those who knew him, forever running wild into the sunlight.
Funeral services to honor and celebrate Gavin's beautiful life will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Roberts of Ocala Downtown Chapel, 606 SW 2nd Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471. All who were touched by Gavin's spirit are welcome to gather, remember, and share in the light he left behind. Please come dressed in bright and happy colors that would have made Gavin smile.