Dexter Gabbard

Since hearing of Dexter's passing, I've been flooded with memories I have not thought about in years- From times in Radcliff, times in Lexington, and times in Nashville.  I laughed looking at the pictures of him posted in the gallery from my mom's house.  He was staying with us for awhile, and I remember him rummaging around a forgotten basement closet and pulling out that old polyester, silver-studded leisure suit.  He put it on and wore it around the rest of the afternoon, doing Elvis impersonations and other silly, funny things that would crack us all up.  That is what I remember most about Dexter, he brought laughter and happiness with him. 

 

Situations and circumstances took us in different directions, but he will always hold the place of a brother in my heart.  I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know such a joyful, fun-loving person. 

I have just finshed reading all the wonderfull things and memories everyone had to say about Dexter.

We bacame very close friends with his parents while we were in the military. (We all knew him as Gabby Jr.) Over the years we have kept in touch and knew how Dexter had grown into a fine young man. His Mother could not of been prouder of him. I wish we would of been able to have know Dexter as a man, because he has touched so many lives he will never be forgotten. We have a lot of fun memories and happy times we spent togather as our kids were growing up. He will allways be in our prayers and in our hearts.  I know this is going to be a diffacult time for the family they will need everyone's prayers. Love to all of you

Dexter and I worked together in the "Golden Age" of the wireless industry at Cellular One in Nashville,TN. Grant and Susan Burrow can testify to the fact that it was a unique time and condition that brought out the best of the crew that was in that office. Dexter was quite the immediate impact upon his arrival to C1. Oh! there was that UT vs UK thing -That whisky vs bourbon discussion, the crazy frat boy comparisson of Lexington and Knoxville.(he forever became Dexta the Molesta after that) Our absolute agreement that the management of our company was run by self promoting idiots...as it turned out...we were dead on! He was quite the comedian and made the life so colorful...even though it was too blue (Kentucky Blue) I am so glad He dropped by the VZW office last year and we got discuss the life, old friends and the rubber biz. It was the same old Mr Sense of Humor king.

I was married to Dexter's sister Shannon.  I didn't have the opportunity to spend very much time with Dexter, but I don't have a single bad memory from the time we did share.  Dexer was truely one of the good guys of this world.  Dexter loved my children as is they were his own.  He shared his home and time with them during the summers.  From the moment I met Dexter, he treated me as if he had known me his entire life, something that I will never forget.  Maureen, I am so sorry for your loss-you raised a great son.  Shannon, please remember the fun you shared with your brother and smile about it with our girls. 

I met Dexter while he was working at Verizon Wireless.  He was funny and witty a just a great guy.  A few years later I lost my husband and Dexter was so kind.  He helped me through some rough times and he was always there with a kind word.  While I was in grief therapy, my therapist said you need to get out a do something, get on with your life.  When I told Dexter I had tickets to Josh Grobin, he was kind enough to go with me so I did not have to go alone.  He took me to dinner and we had a wonderful time.   What a great friend he was to me!!  Some of us a Verizon Wireless got to be there while he was developing his "huge" idea and we all laughed and had fun toying with the idea.  When he left the company I was so sad, but I am glad he stayed in touch.  I had not talked to him in a long while, but kept up on his comings and goings through a couple of his close friends he has there.  Needless to say I was devastated when I heard the news.  It makes me sad that such a loving, wonderful guy had to be taken from us so soon, but since the untimely loss of my husband, I know all to well that is can happen in a blink of an eye.  My love and prayers go out to all of his family and his other friends who I know will miss him every day of their life.  God bless all of you.

 

"Think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched;

for nothing loved is ever lost and he was loved so much."

 

On Tuesday before Dexter's death we were talking on the phone and I was telling him about our dog Abby (which Dexter had found and given to us).  We discovered that she will need to be on two types of medications for the rest of her life.  I told him I was giving her back to him.  He replied "Mom, dont you love Abby?"  I replied that I did not.  (Years earlier we had a poodle named Brandy for almost 18 years)  We had to put her to sleep and it devistated me.  I said that I would never get attached to another animal so I would not feel that pain again.  And I didn't.  Then between David and Dexter they decided we needed Abby.  I agreed with the conition that it belonged to David and I had nothing to do with it.   When Dexter asked my about my love for Abby and I replied no this is what Dexter told me.

 

Mom I just lost Kelsey (his dog) and I grieve but when I go by and see her leash I smile because I remember the good times we would go for a walk.  We had 18 great years with Brandy and all you remember is the day she died?  That's not right!  Remember the 18 years of her life not the one day of her death.     Isn't that ironic that we had that conversation and Dexter just amazed me with his thoughts.  Wasn't he so right.  Well maybe if I can get over this,  I will try to live Dexter's words and remember his life and not his death.    I just wish he were here to keep giving me wisdom and strenght.    What a son!!!   Thank you God for loaning him to me.....

Dexter was a wonderful friend to my son, Grant, and to me.  When we lived in KY he was in and out of our house often and always with a smile.  When we moved to TN we saw more of Dex, he was a very special guy.  We were all lucky to have had him as a friend. 

 

 I remember the last time I talked to him in length - several of the guys were playing poker at our  house.  He had just flown in from Florida.  Dexter didn't play but he and I sat in the living room for an hour or two and just talked and laughed.  It didn't seem to matter that I was almost 70 and he was 40!  People of all ages loved him and he loved them.  We just had fun and he even told me how he cooked some of his special dishes (what a marvelous cook he was!).  Unfortunately I never got the recipes.

Dexter dreamed big and followed his dreams - not a lot of people can say that.  I always thought if he ever got a chance to be on Survivor he would have been a real success.  With his good looks I was sure he would end up with another of his dreams - acting.  His desire to act was one of the things he told me about that night. 

 

I guess Dexter's legacy to us is to make us realize how uncertain life is.  He'd want us to hug our families more frequently, smile often and make new friends, and realize that our "big" problems are actually very small.

 

We will miss you, Dexter - you have left a hole in our hearts.

 

 

Something just happened this evening that compelled me to share it with everyone.  As my wife Tara was putting our oldest daughter, Sarah Beth, to bed something happened that made me realize what an impact Dexter had on my life and my family.

In Sarah Beth's room is a small children's bible with a silver cover of an angel.  Sarah Beth looked at my wife Tara and said, "Mommy, Dexie gave me that bible - he would always bring me nice things".  Sarah Beth then proceeded to show Tara a small stuffed animal, a dog, that she named Emma.

Sarah Beth is 9 years old tomorrow and Dexter had to have given her that bible when she was 3 or 4.  I was amazed that Sarah Beth could remember these things, especially the Bible - then I realized, no matter who you were, or how old you were, no one could ever forget Dexter and the things he did for us!

I was lucky enough to be a neighbor of Dex.  I was just out of middle school when my friends and I first met him.  We thought he was so cool.  We would go to his house just to talk to him for a few minutes.  If he was ever annoyed he never let on.  From a distant view I saw him go through a few pretty difficult things, and come out a better and stronger man from it.  For one of my birthdays he gave me a blink 182 t-shirt.  It mean't a lot to me because of just who Dex is.  I didn't expect it at all, but then that is the kind of guy Dex is.  I will never forget Dex in the aviators and big sideburns.  Hope I can bring happiness and life to the people I run into and care about because everyone knows Dex can.

Terry and I are truly blessed to have known Dexter. We moved from Texas to Franklin Tn. in 2000 and he was our neighbor. After several weeks of conversation we realized that we had met before. He was a friend of my nephew, Britt Chambers and we met at Britt's wedding  in Louisville Ky. years earlier!

Dexter was an idea man, and his best was to have movie night. This involved hanging a hugh sheet on his house and projecting the movie onto it! The neighborhood loved it.

We watched him grow in his faith, become involved in his church and later we witnessed his baptism. We missed him so much when he moved to Florida but about a year ago he showed up at our door just to say hi. He was in town for Grant's birthday.

God's plan is not always clear to us humans, but we know one thing, He just received a good, good man.     Terry and Jayne Smith

As every else struggles to gather thoughts, word, and memories I think of the Biilly Joel song, "Only The Good Die Young." He was wrong. He just took the best from us. I have never met anyone in my life like Dexter. I learned more from him about business (even though he had some goofy ideas) women, relationships, life and love. His gifts to other people are not measured in dollars but in memories and they are countless. He had the ability to make everyone smile, no matter how bad the situation. His heart was not of gold...gold has a price...Dexter is priceless.   In the last four years he became my best friend since moving to Florida. From trips to the Keys, Lynchburg, Nashville and Bristol, to dinner and wine at his house, I cant think of anything other than good times. As a former police officer in the inner city of Chicago, death was common for me, but it was not personal. His loss truly took a piece of my heart with him.

 

When I said goodby to Dex and gave him a hug and hand shake on THursday, he was appoligizing because my Whitesox lost. If I only knew what I would lose later, I would not have let go of that handshake.

 

I only hope that I can live to be half the man Dexter is. When I have children, I promise you, they will hear about Dexter (maybe not his goofy jokes though). I could not think of anyone else I would want my children to be like or learn from. His legacy will live on.

 

My heart goes out to his family and friends, as we all deal with our loss.

 

I Love you bro! Keep smiling.

I came across this email Dex recently set. I put a smile on my face thinking of him sending this. I could see him laughing and smiling.

My brother was the mnost wonderful brother in the world and I am devistated and don't know how I can ever be the same but I can only hope I will live my life as full and as happy as Dexter.  All I can do now is treasure what a wonderful brother and Uncle he was and how many wonderful happy funny memories we shared growing up.  He was caring and thoughtful and  cared for everyone and put others first. No one can imagine what my family is going through.  My heart hurts and I can't stop crying and my daughters are so saddened by the loss of someone who just this past summer always showed them and taught them new things.  My life is changed now and forever but my love for the most wonderful brother will always be ther and I will never let him be forgotten.   Thanks for all your wonderful comments and prayers.. Please don't forget the funny loving Dexter that we all knew and loved..