Gavin Beaver

Gavin Daniel Beaver, Age 15, went to his heavenly home on March 22nd, 2019 while at KC Hospice House, Kansas City, Missouri.  He was born in Beverly, Massachusetts on May 25, 2003 to Julie (Sanford) Beaver and James Richard Beaver.  Gavin also lived in Tigard, Oregon where he gained his love of the outdoors, prior to moving to Overland Park, Kansas.

He was taken from us too soon, yet he lived a life of love.  Gavin viewed life as precious and from his positive outlook and encouraging spirit, served as an inspiration to others.  His diagnosis of Ewing Sarcoma cancer at Age 9 did not stop him from living life to its fullest and experiencing new and exciting things.  Gavin’s love for his family was unbounded, and strengthened each day.  He cherished his friends, adored nature and the natural world, fiercely sought knowledge through self-teaching, explored religion and philosophy, and loved the arts.  Playing cello, swimming, hiking, and rafting where among his favorite things.  Gavin was welcoming to everyone around him as a true ambassador of respect and dignity for all.  He developed strong relationships with many of his teachers, medical staff, and others he met along his journey.  Gavin coped with the struggles of cancer by researching physics, reading classic novels, and writing poetry about his path to faith, his personal trials, and his love of family and nature.  And from his increasing understanding of many things, found his faith in the Lord, was saved, and baptized.  Throughout his life, many loved him and were touched by his example.

Gavin is survived by his parents, Jamie and Julie Beaver of Overland Park, Kansas, his grandparents Dan and Barbara Sanford of Meridian, Idaho and Glenda Alberty of Carthage, Missouri, as well as his great grandmother Lora Lee Sundy of Carthage, Missouri.  He was proceeded in passing by his grandfather Terry Alberty, great grandmother Jean Bodenheimer, and great grandfather Richard Sundy.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to be sent to Camp Quality NWMO, http://www.campqualityusa.org/nwmo which was one of Gavin’s favorite places to enjoy time with his friends with life threatening illnesses, where kids can be kids, in the watchful care of medical professionals.