Obituaries

Christopher Tracy Gabbert, known by those who loved him as Chris, was born on May 22,
1967. He peacefully departed this world on May 7, 2026, after a long illness. The bond Chris
shared with his brother Brian Gabbert was especially profound, and they were best friends
throughout their lives. In turn, Chris was a beloved uncle to his nieces Meaghan, Madison, and
Meredith. He loved his beautiful, talented nieces beyond measure and cherished watching them
grow up—always proud of who they were and confident in who they would become.

Chris leaves behind a host of loved ones and lifelong friends who can’t fully convey what a gift
and privilege it has been to know and love him. Many of those friends date back to Second
Baptist School – Class of 1986. Chris also attended The University of Texas at Austin and
University of Houston. So many of us carry our own memories of Chris that each start with that
one time he did something, said something, shared something and made our lives better for it.
He was patient and kind—a gentle protector who put others before himself and was always
there to lend a helping hand. Contemplative and observant, he saw what others didn’t see and
was a trusted sounding board. But he was also a lot of fun and could make you laugh out loud
with his wry commentary, shy smile, and perfect timing. Chis was a good friend in the truest
sense of the word.

Chris was also a true original—a man with wide-ranging gifts, talents, and interests that he
shared with you freely. He was a self-taught chef who initially honed his skills watching PBS and
the early days of the Food Network in the nineties. He could elevate humble ingredients, cook
the finest steak to perfection, master the grill, and flawlessly blend and balance spices. Cooking
was one of the many ways he took care of the people he loved.

A lifelong conservationist, Chris was drawn to the vast beauty of nature—the verdant shades of
green that come alive after a rainstorm, seeing a bird on the wing, or watching the sun set on
the water. He was an avid sailor, fisherman, hunter, camper and outdoorsman who loved all
animals, especially black labs. Whether at sea or on land, Chris was always struck by the
humbling beauty of being under a blanket of endless stars, far from the reach of city lights. He
loved the primal glow and crackling snap of a good campfire at night paired with a heart-
catching sunrise and the lingering smell of woodsmoke the next day. No one could build a fire
quite like Chris.

He had a poet’s heart and an artist’s eye. From the reflective poetry of Wordsworth’s “I
Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” to the frenetic prose of Hunter S. Thompson, Chris also found
joy, beauty, and contemplation in the written word. He read poetry and literature throughout his
life. He was also a talented artist who could create intricate, meticulous sketches without error.
While no artist could ever compete with nature, he appreciated art that could both inspire and
confound.

He also appreciated a classic rock song, a night in with friends playing poker, a game of
racquetball, or watching sports on TV. Chris was a sports fan throughout his life and followed
baseball, football, and basketball—always rooting for hometown Houston teams. He was thrilled
when both the U.S. Men’s and Women’s hockey teams brought home the gold in the 2026
Winter Olympics. Chris should also be remembered as someone who loved his country deeply
and cared about veterans getting the services and care they deserved.

While our hearts are broken by this loss and we wish there had been more time with Chris in
this life, there is comfort in the memories we hold, the love we share, and the confidence we
have that Chris’ lifelong faith and servant’s heart have earned him his eternal reward.

In death, he follows his grandparents whom he all loved deeply, Charles and Suzanne Haden,
and Barbara and Gordon Gabbert; and his father, Gordon A. Gabbert. In addition to his dear
brother, Brian Gabbert, his wife Amber, and their three daughters Meaghan, Madison, and
Meredith, Chris leaves behind his mother, Sharon Haden.

A Celebration of Life Service and reception for Chris is scheduled on June 7, 2026, from 1:00 –
4:30 p.m. at the Houston Arboretum located at 4501 Woodway, Houston, Texas 77024. Please
bring your favorite story or stories to share about Chris. In lieu of flowers, please make a
donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at t2t.org or Coastal Conservation Association Texas
at https://ccatexas.org/ in Chris’ honor.