My Brother's Obituary

Reflection On Christopher Gathercole's Obituary from 2008

Obituary written by Terrence V.

Photo left to right: Joel R, Terrence V, Christopher Gathercole.

   

Photo left to right: Joel R, Terrence V, Christopher Gathercole.

Obituary 

    GATHERCOLE, Christopher - Born October 16, 1986, Died May 26, 2008, during combat operations while serving his country in Afghanistan. Loving little boy, precocious teen, strong warrior. He gave what he could, but left us wanting so much more. Chris came into the world with a wonderful smile. It defined his being and captured anyone's heart who ever met him. He and his brother Edward were the inseparable pair. Quick to laugh, oblivious to harm, and always looking for mischief. Those early years became difficult and Chris entered the Sonoma County foster care system. Because of many different circumstances, Chris was eventually separated from his brother Edward, and he ended up residing in several different foster placements throughout Sonoma County. Chris and his brother traveled parallel, but separate, paths during their teen years and finally were able to reunite in 2002. Chris' life was an odyssey. He went from the security of family to the unfamiliarity of foster placement; from one school to another, from friends in one place to friends in another; from high school graduation to Army enlistment; and finally from infantryman to the elite status of Ranger. He was a social being who loved interaction with his friends, but chafed at the mechanics of school and work. Chris sometimes put too much of his love and belief in others who were unable to reciprocate in kind. That led to increasing turmoil in his late teens when he was finally forced to face some harsh realities. During that time came the transformation from child to young man. Gone was the dismissal of personal responsibility. Gone was the disregard for those who cared about him most. Chris embraced his newly found direction and committed to making his life worthy of the love and support he had received from others. That resolve motivated him to graduate from high school, join the Army, set higher goals, excel at all the challenges he faced, and ultimately emerge as a self-made man. Chris is survived by his close brother, Edward; loving sisters Jennifer Daly and Sarah Ferrell; caring grandmothers Maryann Haines (Passed on in 2012) and Heidi Moore (Passed on in 2012); devoted CASA Terry Vail; Partner in Heart Victoria Nickel; Aunts Charlene Haines, Candace Wilson, Claudette Biemeret, and Nancy Giordano; Uncles Gordy Giordano and John Wilson; cousins Amber Haines, Emily and Sophia Wilson and Sharmagne and Todd Sterbens; niece Ahnna Peterson; second cousins Cheyenne and Sierra Sterbens; Stepdad Stan Ferrell; Uncle Bill Ferrell; father Eddie Ray Gathercole (Passed on in 2020) and mother Catherine Ferrell. (Passed on in 2012)

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pressdemocrat/name/christopher-gathercole-obituary?id=15425125

2008 Battlefield Cross for Christopher Gathercole in Iraq

Photo left to right: Christopher Gathercole, Edward Gathercole, Joel R.

    The obituary was written by our CASA worker Terry Vail, an instrumental advocate to both these men who was asked to do the heart wrenching task of writing Christopher's Obituary. Edward and Christopher had the tremendous fortune of attaining a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) in Sonoma County. This was Edward's second CASA, and Edward advocated to their social worker that they attain another one for both brothers. Edward's First CASA was Joel Green and was apart of the team that brought CASA to Sonoma County. May he Rest In Peace, and much gratitude to him and his family. Upon recommendation by the social worker one man was found and accepted the ridiculous challenge of advocating for the Gathercole Boys, and we love and appreciate this man very much. Through the CASA program and their advocates, so many youth in need, get an extra voice in court, and experience the validation of an adult standing up for their needs. And in some cases lives are saved while a stable sound adult is advocating and at times mentoring a lost soul, while putting the ball in their court, to manage life's expectations. Thank You CASA Program! More on CASA here: www.sonomacasa.org