On October 3, 2026, our family experienced the unimaginable loss of our beloved son, James Dabin Gabriel, affectionately known as “Jimmy James.” He was only 2 years and 4 months old.

James was born on May 20, 2024, and from the moment he came into our lives, he changed our world completely. He was our beautiful little boy—curious, energetic, playful, affectionate, and so deeply loved.

James loved the cartoon show Bluey, trucks, cars, and planes. He loved helping Dad with projects around the house, running errands with him, building forts made of pillows and blankets, and celebrating the holidays with his family. He loved eating Mom’s homemade dumplings, going to the park with her, and riding beside her on the John Deere mower as they cut the grass together. He loved spending time in the backyard with his grandmother and going on trips and adventures with his Mom Mom and Poppy. These simple, everyday moments became some of the happiest parts of our lives.

This year, James became a big brother to his baby sister, Evelyn. In a beautiful connection they will forever share, Evelyn was born on May 20, 2026—James’s second birthday. They share the same birthday, exactly two years apart.

James had only four short months with his baby sister, but he was already a loving big brother. He would kiss her and watch over her, and we dreamed of watching them grow up side by side. We imagined a lifetime of shared birthdays, family vacations, holidays, childhood adventures, and all the ordinary moments between a brother and sister.

We thought those four months were only the beginning of a lifetime they would share together.

Now Evelyn will grow up knowing her big brother through our stories, photographs, videos, and memories. We will make sure she always knows how special James was, how deeply he loved her, and how deeply he was loved.

On Saturday, October 3, James went pumpkin picking with his dad, baby sister, and grandparents. It was supposed to be a happy family outing and another childhood memory for us to treasure.

While in the parking lot, James was walking hand in hand with his grandmother when a vehicle backing up struck both of them.

Our precious James did not survive.

As his parents, we had a lifetime of plans for James. We expected to watch him grow up, teach him new things, celebrate every birthday, send him off to school, watch him discover his passions, and one day see the man he would become.

Instead, we are now faced with something no parent should ever have to do: saying goodbye to our little boy. Twenty-eight months was nowhere near enough time. But in those twenty-eight months, James gave us a lifetime of love.

We are creating this GoFundMe as our family navigates the unimaginable days ahead. Donations will help with James’s funeral and memorial expenses, time away from work so our family can grieve and be together, legal expenses associated with this tragedy, and other unexpected financial burdens. Any remaining funds will help us find a meaningful way to honor James and keep his memory alive.

If you are able to donate, we are deeply grateful. If you are unable to contribute, please consider sharing James’s story and keeping our family in your thoughts.

But more than anything, please remember our James.

Please don’t remember him only as the little boy whose life ended in a tragic accident.

Remember his little footsteps, his laughter, his curiosity, his energy, and the happiness he brought into our lives.

James was here.

He mattered. He was loved beyond words. And he will always be our son.

James Dabin Gabriel

May 20, 2024 – October 3, 2026

Forever 2 years and 4 months old.

Forever loved.

Forever our Jimmy James.