Gilbert D. Gallego III

Good evening, I am Annette Gallego-Hopkins, the Auntie who was always around the corner keeping up with Gil. We wish to share the cherished memories of our beloved son, nephew, father, and friend to all. Gil as I fondly called him was my nephew but definitely more like my son. I use to tell him that he was my first love since the day he was born. He brought so much light into our lives.

Gilbert D. Gallego III, 43, of San Antonio, passed away on June 16, 2026. To those who loved him, Gilbert was unforgettable. A man whose laughter, loyalty, and big heart filled every room he walked into. Born and raised in San Antonio, Gilbert carried his city with him in everything he did. He was a true Spurs fan, cheering loud enough for the whole neighborhood, and he loved his Dallas Cowboys with the same passion. If there was a game on, Gilbert was watching it, living every play like he was right there on the court or field.

He loved his car, loud music, and anything with a good beat he could groove to. But nothing in his life mattered more than his sons, Gilbert King Gallego, 8, and Elijah Cristobal Gallego, 2. They were the true beat to his heart, his pride, his joy, and the legacy he was most proud of. Everything he did, he did with them in his heart.

Growing up, Gilbert loved playing basketball with his three best friends Joey, Steven, and Jr. They were inseparable, especially in the summertime. Shooting hoops, watching movies, eating pizza and lots of sleep overs, finding any excuse to be together. Whatever they did, it was always better because they had each other. Gilbert also loved his skateboard and was always searching for big open spaces to ride. One of his favorite spots was the back parking lot of St. James, his home church, the place where he made all his sacraments, found community, and had some of the best times of his youth. It was there at St. James Father told him to move on to a different location. He took it in stride and followed directions but kept on skating elsewhere. We were grateful!

Gilbert had a way about him. His personality could melt hearts and bring hope for a better tomorrow. He had a charm that was impossible to ignore, the kind that could get him out of trouble with a smile and a laugh. And we won’t go into the girls… but they were knocking at Mama’s door early, and they never stopped. Wherever he went, that smile of his drew attention.

Father and son shared the same kind of confidence, natural charisma, the kind of inviting feelings that drew people in without him even trying. That hearty laugh, that spark in his eyes, that warmth you could feel before he even spoke. Losing Gilbert Jr., his father, to cancer a few years ago was devastating. But Gil managed to bring the gift of life twice as sweet. It was a true gift they shared with each other and with us all, the ability to feel so much love through the arms and smiles of a loved one.

Gilbert was always trendy, always sharp, always put together. He loved his clothes, but especially his tennis shoes — clean, crisp, and always part of his signature look. He kept everything neat, organized, and in perfect order. One of the stories his family will never forget is his prom night: His Grandma whom he affectionately and wholeheartedly called Mama asked him several times, “Let’s go buy new shoes,” but Gilbert just smiled and said no — these were the look. And he wore his favorite new tennis shoes proudly, because that was him: confident, stylish, and true to himself.

Part of Gilbert’s style was his hair, first dyed blond, then grown out into the dreadlocks that everyone remembers. He wore them proudly for about a year, until Mama finally had enough and told him it was time for a good wash and cleanup. Minutes later, he came back holding his cut dreads in his hands, smiling at her, and said it was done. He loved making her smile. He always did. Would you believe Mama still has those dreads in his room? It was the room he grew up in and the home he always returned to.

Gilbert also loved food — all food. There weren’t many things he wouldn’t eat. Growing up, he was always in the kitchen, especially if Mama was in there. He would pull up a chair next to Grandpa and they would talk and wait for the first tortillas. As he grew into a man, that never changed. He simply added more kitchens to visit: mine,( his Auntie Mama’s), his moms, Aunt Terry’s, and anywhere he knew a good meal and good company were waiting. His family loved that about him, the way he showed up hungry, happy, and ready to enjoy whatever was cooking.

Gilbert had a deep love for all of his family. One of the best parts of him were his big bear hugs and the top of the head kisses he gave so freely. Mama, Debbie and I always spoke affirmations of love to him whenever he left our homes, and he would take them in and laugh with joy. I always wondered what was behind some of those laughs — a secret happiness, a private joke, or simply the warmth of being loved so openly. Gilbert had simple requests, large and small, all his life, and between all of us, there was never a request he didn’t get. That’s how loved he was.

He was always good in school and excelled in math and reading. Teachers often used him as an example because of the way he expressed himself. He was an honors student who loved reading anything that expanded his mind, health, science, politics, world events. He was always focused on his strength, both inside and out. As a man, he stood tall, strong, and confident, with a beaming personality that filled every space he entered.

Gilbert never said no when someone needed his strength. And when all the children were around him, there was always rough housing and hard play. They would gang up on him, try to knock him down, laughing the whole time. They loved playing water balloons with him, shooting orbeez guns, curling up next to him just to hang out, eating snacks with him, teasing him, and soaking up the joy he carried so naturally. He was their giant, their playmate, their safe place.

His heart and home were with mama. There was nothing Gilbert wouldn’t do for Mama. She was the center of his world, from his childhood to his very last day. His final act of love for her is wearing the jacket she requested, the one he looks so handsome in right now. He always dressed up for her, always wanted to look his best, because he knew he had been given the best all his life.

And now, as he enters the Kingdom of Heaven, I just hope he remembered to pull up his pants and tuck in his shirt — because even in glory, that boy would try to get away with looking just a little too cool.

Gilbert is survived by his paternal grandmother, (Mama)Beatrice Gallego; his mother, Debbie Lynn McCurdy, step father Richard McCurdy; his Auntie Mama, Annette Gallego Hopkins; Uncle Chris Hopkins (Papa Bear); his Aunt Terry Gallego; his sons, Gilbert King Gallego and Elijah Cristobal Gallego; his sister, Lynnette Jacobs; his brothers, Corbin Jacob McCurdy, Richard McCurdy III, Liam McCurdy and his first cousins who were like sisters, Stephanie Rodriguez, Hannah Hopkins, and Annalyce Hopkins. Second cousins (his Little Loves) Kayla Richardson, Alana Rodriguez, Kaleb Rodriguez. He was predeceased by his paternal grandfather, Gilbert Gallego Sr.; his father, Gilbert Gallego Jr.; and his maternal grandparents, Charles A. Davila and Conchita R. Davila and Uncle Charles R. Davila .

Services will be held at St. James Catholic Church, 907 W. Theo Ave., San Antonio, TX 78225 on June 25, 2026.

• Viewing: 9:30–10:30 AM

• Rosary: 10:30–11:00 AM

• Mass: 11:00 AM

• Interment: San Fernando II Cemetery