Brad Gamble Memorial Tree

Brad was a happy and loving young boy. Brad was the youngest of four boys, including Ryan, Joel, and Kyle. On 5 February 1997, Brad left school, walked home, and got on his bike to go to a classmate’s house to work on a school project. While riding to his classmate’s house, he was struck by a vehicle sustaining significant injuries. Brad was rushed to Wilford Hall Medical center, where he would die from head trauma and other internal injuries a few hours later. Brad had just turned 10 years old.

A friend of Brad’s father bought a Bradford Pear tree to plant at John Glenn Elementary School, part of Northside Independent School district, located in San Antonio, Texas. The school had a ceremony for the tree planting to include Brad’s classmates, members of Brad’s family, and friends of Brad’s family. A Texas State arborist was sent to discuss information about the tree being planted. Brad’s family and classmates much appreciated the ceremony. The tree has been visited by Brad’s father every Birthday and on the anniversary of his death since 1997. School employees would visit with Brad’s father and reminisce about Brad.

In 2017, the school principal contacted Brad’s father and told him that construction to expand the school would require them to either move the tree or the school district would plant a new tree as a replacement for the original tree. Since the Bradford Pear was near the end of life for the type of tree, Brad’s father chose to replace it with a Live Oak. Live Oaks live a long time, and the tree would be there for years as a tribute to a boy who had lost his life too soon.

In 2018 the new Live Oak was planted and seemed to do well until the summer of 2019. The tree started dying for unknown reasons and was completely dead by February 2020. Brad’s father contacted the school principal to see if the school district would replace the tree. The principal stated they would, but the school would be on a waiting list and be behind many other schools waiting to receive trees. It would be many years before a replacement tree would be available.

The school principal and vice-principal have worked with Brad’s Father to get a new tree.

Brad’s family and friends would like to purchase a Live Oak tree to replace Brad’s tree that died. The family and friends need 2000 dollars to purchase, transport and plant a similar size Live Oak tree in Memory of Brad Gamble.

The original Bradford Pear Tree that had to be removed for construction:

The Live Oak tree that replaced the original tree and eventually died:

Please help the family raise the money for the tree, planting, and care. Your donations will be much appreciated by Brad’s family, Brad’s classmates, school employees, and friends of the family.