Gabriel Luis Batten

Gabriel Luis Batten, affectionately known as Gab, was born September 23, 1991 in Tampa, Florida. He was the youngest child of three sons and one daughter born to James Arthur Batten, Jr. and D. Tina Batten.

Gabriel attended Chaparral High School in Temecula, CA and later completed his GED. He was currently attending ITT College in Tempe, Arizona during his final days, with the expectation of graduating by the end of the year with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. It was his dream to one day work as a youth counselor.

Gabriel's early religious experience started at Springhill Missionary Baptist Church in San Diego, CA under the leadership of Bishop R.E. Gates. In 2007, he joined Imani Temple of Temecula, COGIC with his family where Supt. James Mason was his pastor. He completed the Promises of God Bible study class. Gabriel was active in the youth departments, participating in the Rites of Passage program, Vacation Bible School, and the outreach youth ministry. Before leaving the Temecula area, he worked alongside his mother ministering in Theater Arts.

Throughout the years, Gabriel was known to be a loveable young man with a big heart. He would keep in contact with his friends, checking up with them and having their best interest in mind; willing to help them out by putting the interest of others before himself. He was a jokester and dealt with the challenges of life with humor.

Recording music and sports were Gabriel's passion. He would spend much of his time writing and recording music. From early childhood at 18 months of age, he developed an appreciation for sports. After feedings, he was known to toss his bottle like a pro baller with accuracy and precision across the room. He enjoyed playing anything with a ball and his favorite team was the Philadelphia Eagles.

On April 9, 2012 at his home in Tempe, AZ he departed this life. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather: James Arthur Batten Sr., and his maternal grandfather: Adam Graham.

Gabriel leaves to celebrate his homegoing, his parents: James and D. Tina Batten. His siblings: James A. Batten, III, Latasha Shantel Batten, and Raymond Arthur Batten. His maternal abuela (grandmother): Adoly London and her husband Michael. His paternal grandmother: Louise Batten. His maternal aunt: Nicole Ratcliff and her husband Kenneth. His paternal uncles and aunts: Yolanda Macan and her husband Steven, Eddie Batten and his wife Kristina, Tony Batten, Hersheal Batten, Joseph Batten, Brenda Campbell and her husband Melton, Jeanette Gainer, Maurice Batten, and Regina Pitts and her husband Marieo. His beloved: nieces, nephews, other relatives, and beloved friends.