Gabriel Vincent Leon

Gabriel Vincent León, 22, passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2023, in Bono, Arkansas. Gabe was born on April 22, 2001, in Joliet, Illinois. He graduated from Westside High School in 2020. His teachers remember him as a witty student who frequently stole pens and notebooks so he could jot down ideas for his collections of lists. His family will forever miss his big smile, and the endless stories of the complex worlds and fascinating characters he’s been building since early childhood. At his death, he was working on incorporating these worlds into novels and TTRPGs. Gabe had a special love for furry animals, especially chinchillas. He loved Legos, mini figures, Harry Potter, UB Funkees, beluga whales, Grogu, Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, his online friends, and researching in prepping for a zombie invasion. Gabe was a freethinker, a writer, a feminist, and a passionate and outspoken ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as a vocal dissenter of all oppression and bigotry. Gabe was well known for his intelligence, bold opinions, creative mind, unconventional humor, and indiscernible handwriting.

Gabe was diagnosed with acute bilateral cardiomyopathy at age 10 and received a heart transplant in 2011, and again in 2016. He lived the last twelve years of his life thanks to two donor angels and their brave families. Continuing his passion for organ donation, Gabe became a donor himself, as his 6’5” body provided many skin grafts.

Gabe is survived by his mother and father, Melanie and Cody Fortson of Bono, Ar; siblings, Cody Hudson of Washington DC; Lulu León of Conway, Ar; Gavin Fortson of Aledo,Il; and Billy, Kennah and Sidney Fortson, of the home; loving grandmother, Joni Jacobson; and many friends, relatives, and supporters. Gabe is preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Vickie Ward.

Gabe will be having a green burial, as he was concerned about the carbon footprint of cremation and funerary chemicals. A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 2:00 pm in the Green Burial Section of Kirby's Tucker Memorial Cemetery, Mountain Home, Arkansas.

Memorial donations may be made in Gabe's name to Arkansas Children’s Hospital or Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas. The family urges all who are able to register at https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up to be an organ donor.

Arrangements are by Kirby & Family Funeral & Cremation Services - Mountain Home, Arkansas. Visit an online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com