Gabe and his mother, Debbie


...with "Max," (aka Maxine--the Worlds Toughest Feline)


This best displays the duality of his heritage


...with his paternal grandfather, Dan and 'friend'


...fun with Dad on an outing in Graham,NC in 1984

The following was written by his father about Gabe:

"Whatever the effect of Gabriel's training and background,
it worked.
So many were involved. He liked to climb trees;
he never met a stranger;
he saw the best and worst in people;
he traveled well; he listened well;
he sang well
and knew all the words.
The world was funny.
'Suffer not the little children to come unto me,'
the God-Man said.
Gabriel Niņo Bates
-- little boy spirit --
announces the coming of Christ.
'Gabriel, come' -- he always did."