Nathanael "Nate" Woldeabe Gabrysch

Nate was born May 12, 2008, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. At eight months old, he was adopted by Jeremy and Christina and officially became part of the Gabrysch family in the way that mattered most: fully, forever, and with great joy.

Nate was dynamic and bold - the kind of person who stood out in a crowd. He was a natural leader, full of passion and energy, and he had a presence that people felt immediately. Strong and direct, he was fiercely protective of the people he loved and carried a deep sense of justice for anything that harmed the vulnerable. As a son and brother, Nate’s loyalty ran deep. He was protective, steady, and all-in - the kind of love you could count on.

Sports were one of Nate’s great joys. He was innately athletic and incredibly fast, and he loved competing - especially football and basketball. Nate never did anything halfway. He played with intensity, heart, and determination, and he brought that same mindset to his battle with cancer. When osteosarcoma and its treatment took away his ability to run, Nate did what he always did: he adapted and kept going. He learned wheelchair basketball and excelled at it, just like he did with every sport he had ever played. Even when life narrowed, Nate refused to live small.

Nate’s favorite verse, which he held close to his heart until the end, was Romans 12:12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Nate made this verse his mission. He endured suffering and trials with steadfastness, he trusted God’s timing and purpose, and he was faithful in prayer - maintaining a constant conversation with God, depending on Him and drawing strength from Him day by day.

Nate battled osteosarcoma for three and a half years. Throughout that fight, he was surrounded by a loving church community at Christ Church, a devoted school community at Veritas, and friends far and wide. Nate was loved and prayed for by people across the world, even friends in Ethiopia.

Nate is preceded in death by his grandmother, Marilyn Barton Douglas.

He is survived by his parents, Jeremy and Christina; his sister, Taylor; and his grandparents, Ray and Kay Gabrysch and Joseph Douglas, along with extended family and countless friends who loved him deeply and will carry his memory with them always.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Austin Oaks Church (4220 Monterey Oaks Blvd Building, Austin, TX 78749). Nate will be laid to rest at Driftwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nate’s honor to Austin Wheelchair Basketball (donorbox.org/atx-roll-with-us-2026).