Irvin Gabriel Cortes Garcia

Obituary for Irvin Gabriel Cortes (“Gaby”)

“Life is truly lived when it is lived with passion.” 

With profound sorrow, the Cortes family announces the passing of Irvin Gabriel Cortes, lovingly known as Gaby, who departed to heaven at the age of 18, leaving behind a legacy of love, energy, courage, and passion.

Beloved son of Irvin Cortes and Dagmaris Garcia, and cherished brother of Arianna E. Cortes (Ari) and his twin Francisco J. Cortes (Frankie), Gaby was a young man whose light deeply touched all who had the privilege of knowing him.

From a very young age, he showed admirable strength. He completed his first ten years of schooling in Puerto Rico and, after facing the hardship brought by Hurricane María in 2017, moved with his family to The Woodlands (Houston), Texas. This was just one of many moments in which Gaby displayed exceptional bravery, confronting life’s changes and challenges with determination.

In The Woodlands, he attended Wilkerson Intermediate, Knox Jr. High, and Bear Branch Jr. High, before continuing at Magnolia High School and eventually graduating from Willis High School. At the time of his passing, he was in his first semester at Texas Tech University, eagerly building the future he dreamed of.

A passionate athlete, Gaby excelled in both basketball and volleyball. He began playing at a very young age in Puerto Rico, where he was fortunate to participate in five Puerto Rico Championship Finals, winning one (ACB) with Arecibo Basketball. He also played with the Spartans (Vega Baja), Vaqueros (Bayamón), Arecibo Arvaja (Arecibo), and Colegio de Ingenieros (San Juan).

Once in Houston, he continued his athletic journey with 365 Elite, Nemesis, Modern Basketball, and Backcourt Hoops. In high school, he competed at the varsity level in both basketball and volleyball during his Junior and Senior years, showing remarkable dedication even while struggling with knee injuries toward the end of his journey. On every court, he showcased his discipline, his perseverance, and the unmistakable spark of someone who played with his whole heart.

Beyond athletics, Gaby was known for his intensity for life, his loving nature, his respectfulness, his excellent manners, and his deep Christian faith. He lived with passion and carried himself with humility, always uplifting those around him with his smile and his kindness.

In his final act of love, he gave the gift of life to others. Gaby chose to be an organ donor, and thanks to his immense generosity, seven (7) of his organs were donated tofive (5) people. One of them had been waiting for a kidney for five (5) years, and now lives renewed because of Gaby’s gift. His ligaments and tissues will likely help another 75 people in one way or another, extending his compassion far beyond his years.

His legacy will continue through the Irvin “Gaby” Cortes Memorial Foundation, whose mission is “Finding Your Calling.”

Focused on high school students but open to anyone struggling to find purpose and drive, the foundation believes that when individuals discover their calling, they are more likely to live fulfilling lives and achieve happiness in the grace of the Lord.

The foundation will provide skills assessments, academic and sports scholarships, career counseling, and Christian-faith based life-coaching. These programs reflect Gaby’s own journey, as he was striving to find his calling at Texas Tech, and will ensure that his light continues to guide others toward purpose, fulfillment, and faith.

May we honor him not with sorrow alone, but by living with the same passion, courage, respect, and faith that he carried every day. His memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved him. Though his earthly journey ended too soon, we rejoice in knowing he is embraced by God’s eternal love.