“The purpose of life is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson   

Gavin David Christman was born on December 29, 2008.  He was the baby in our family, little brother to Conor Daniel.  Gavin had an easy going, likeable way about him from the start.  He made friends quickly and always wore a smile.  Gavin attended Annunciation Catholic Academy in Altamonte Springs, Florida from pre-school until his passing in 8th grade.  Gavin was highly intelligent and quick to pick up nearly anything he put his mind to.  He learned gymnastics and karate as a young boy.  He learned to read music and play instruments.  As he grew, Gavin developed a love for computers and video games.  He enjoyed spending time playing and laughing online with this friends.  Boy do we miss that laugh.

Gavin was involved in Scouting since first grade.  He crossed over from Cubs to Scouts as a sixth grader.  Gav had a love \ hate relationship with Scouting.  He LOVED hanging out with his friends, being silly and making jokes.  He enjoyed the sense of accomplishment scouting provides through merit badges and advancements.  However, Gav hated bugs and likely had a genuine phobia of insects through his early childhood.  In July 2022 Gavin somewhat reluctantly attended summer camp at Camp Powhatan in Pulaski, Virginia.  Gavin and his tent mate’s bug repelling antics were legendary as they fumigated the entire campsite nightly.  Gavin was reluctant to go, but he always enjoyed himself, especially the time spent with his buddies.  Gavin achieved Star rank in Scouts and was named Assistant Senior Patrol Leader in his Troop just a few weeks before he passed away.  As one of his friends noted, Gavin was “speed running” toward Eagle rank which he very likely would have achieved in summer 2023.  We all would have been very proud to see him reach this milestone.

Gavin was known for his kindness, his easy smile, and his warm hugs.  He also displayed an innate sense of compassion, awareness and duty to those less fortunate.  From a very young age Gavin showed an ability to make everyone around him comfortable with his words and actions.  Gavin was the boy who stood up for others.  He voluntarily carried classmate’s book bags for weeks as they recovered from broken limbs.  He befriended the marginalized.  He held his mom’s hand, even as a teenager.  Gav was a special kid.

Gavin’s impact on the world and his community far out-paced his time with us.  He touched many lives in a simple way, but always positive.  We are determined to perpetuate his legacy through this website.  Stories are a path toward immortality.  Gavin will be among us as long as we tell his stories.  This site is an opportunity to read and share stories, and we invite you to share your memories of Gavin, no matter how large or small, for all to enjoy.