‘When you see Jesus, run to him’: Mother, loved ones remember Gabriel Garcia Jr.

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) — 17-year-old Gabriel Garcia Jr. lost his battle with cancer on July 16. He was a Sunnyside High School student who is remembered for his big smile and big heart.

“I found him, almost unresponsive one night, and we went into the ER,” Gabriel’s mom, Crystal Martinez, said.

Martinez tells YourCentralValley.com that her son took his final breath in her arms.

“We’ve seen that he looked a little bit different. I told my sister to scoot him over. And I got in there and I held him. And I just told him, you know, when you see Jesus run to him,” Martinez said.

Gabriel’s wrestling coach, Brian Paine, was overcome with emotions.  

“I like to say that he was my little mijo, because I really felt he was my little son,” he said.

Payne said he has a close bond with Gabriel and his family. 

“We were there that night, immediately just drove over so I could see him one last time, try to get my condolences, and it’s just been rough,” Payne said.

Coach Payne helped organize a fundraiser for Gabriel’s medical bills in June. Back then, Gabriel told YourCentralValley.com that “My friends go above and beyond for me, and I love them for it. I got faith that it’s going to all work out and it’s going to go away.”

Gabriel’s mom says his passing is bittersweet. She’s glad he was surrounded by his favorite people.  

“He had the stage for cancer since day one when he first found out when he was first diagnosed. And you wouldn’t know,” Martinez said.

Gabriel loved sharing his love with others.  

“He was the type of kid that at Christmas time, you know, all the people were coming in with presents for them. But he went shopping for the kids in the hospital,” Martinez said.

He was a selfless kid, and now, the community is stepping up for him. Family friends have organized a sports memorabilia auction to cover funeral costs.

“We figured we’ll throw together an auction. Whatever we can raise for Gabe can go to the family for him,” CFO of Pandemonium International Jim Martinez said.

Martinez says she knows her son is now in a better place.

“One prayer that Gabriel prayed out loud that I heard him say was, Lord, let me be a beacon of light for you. And I know that that has come to pass. And it was answered,” Crystal Martinez said.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about how to help Gabriel’s family with funeral costs, can either donate to the family GoFundMe by clicking here, visit his memorial site for donations, or click here to participate in the online sports memorabilia auction.