Gabriel “Gabe” Ennis, 16, of Hamlet, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 22, 2025.
He was born in Rockingham on Feb. 27, 2009, son of Christopher James Thompson and Jessica Louise Ennis.
Gabe was a current student at Richmond Senior High School and was looking forward to entering his junior year this fall.
He had many loves in life, living life to the fullest, including his truck, his dog, his school and teachers, as well as the love for his community.
Gabe’s greatest joy came from being a junior firefighter with Cordova Fire and Rescue, a title that he proudly embraced for almost two years. Gabe viewed many of his fellow members, and their families at Cordova Fire and Rescue, as family. He was the kind of individual that any agency would be proud to have.
Gabe had a heart full of compassion and was always quick to lend a hand and even quicker to make others smile. He also had a gift of drawing children close to him and entertaining them with his personality, and he never passed up an opportunity to volunteer at Krystal Dawn Retreat, where his kindness shined through in his love for those with special needs. His legacy of kindness, service, and love will never be forgotten.
Gabe is preceded in death by his brother, Hayden Thompson; maternal grandfather, John Ennis; and maternal great-grandparents, Walter “Ike” Smith and Betty Smith.
Left to cherish his memories are his mother, Jessica Ennis of Rockingham; his father, Christopher Thompson of Kentucky; maternal grandparents, Mike and Delores Sharpe of Hamlet; paternal grandmother, Tina Thompson of Kentucky; siblings, Caleb Ennis, his big sister and best friend, Alyssa Ennis, and Gracelynn Ennis, all of Hamlet, Colby Thompson and Cooper Thompson, both of Kentucky; his beloved dog, Faith; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family and friends; and his Cordova Fire and Rescue family.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 30, 2025 from noon-2 p.m. at King’s Gate Church in Hamlet.
The funeral service will follow visitation, beginning at 2 p.m., with Pastor Dean Dixon officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Church, Wallace, South Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Gabe’s memory be made to: Cordova Fire and Rescue, PO Box 146, Cordova, NC 28330.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Ennis family. Online condolences may be made at harringtonfuneralhome.com.
