Gavin & Brandy Fallis

SPC Gavin T. Fallis

It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that the family of SPC Gavin T. Fallis announces his untimely passing on July 13, 2023, at the age of 19. Gavin along with his wife, Brandy Michelle (Kofler) Fallis, were tragically taken from this world as a result of a car accident in Cheyenne County, Colorado.

Gavin Thomas Fallis, the oldest son of Justin Fallis and Cheryl (Hanrahan) Hoyt made his entrance into the world on October 15, 2003, in Fort Drum, New York. Growing up, Gavin moved several times within the New England area but his deep-seeded love for upstate New York was really put to the test in 2017 when he traded cold snowy winters for the warm Florida sunshine. Gavin was not a fan of the summer heat, and while he embraced the high school life at James S. Rickards High School, he was one hundred percent an Upstate New York boy.

Gavin’s sense of adventure and vivid imagination were apparent from an early age. Walking since he was eight months old, he was quite literally going places and that kept everyone on their toes. He made sure to remind his Grampy that silence and a two-year-old can be a dangerous combination. One day Gavin came running up to him one day, in that slightly off- balanced way that two-year-olds do, and proudly presented him with a pile of screws and fasteners. Gavin, armed with only his tiny fingers and Grampy’s set of keys, managed to dismantle the television stand while no one was looking. What Gavin was able to dismantle in a few hours at the tender age of two took the adults several days to reassemble.

Not that Gavin needed any assistance in finding mischief, but right around the time he learned to dismantle household items, he gained a new “partner in crime” when his sister Adryane was born. The two were like two peas in a pod and known to join forces for post-Halloween candy reconnaissance missions. Gavin was tasked as the kitchen lookout while Adryane was deployed as the master cabinet climber. Even though there were times they didn’t see each other as often as they would of like, Gavin and Adryane shared a bond that could not be broken. Regardless of how long it had been, whenever they would reconnect, there would be snarky banter, prolonged laughter, an occasional Nerf gun attack, and the inevitable request to borrow the car keys for after-dinner ice cream adventures.

Gavin made the decision to add JROTC to his academic schedule during his sophomore year in high school, and it would be a decision that would change his life. Prior to signing up for JROTC, Gavin was fueled solely by his love of X-Box, pizza, mac and cheese, air soft, and long naps; not necessarily in that order. That changed under the watchful eye and mentorship of LTC Proctor and MSG Kerrison where Gavin was challenged to do more than he thought was possible. Make no mistake, he still loved his X-Box and pizza, but it was almost as if he could see that his passion for weaponry, history, and tactical maneuvers could be put to good use in more than just his video games, and he was all in. A natural born leader, Gavin became a vital member of JROTC Color Guard and participated in a host of parades, football games, and special events. He was immensely proud of his time in JROTC; so, it came to no surprise when he enlisted in the United States Army a few short days after his graduation in 2021.

What Gavin planned to be a long storied military career, is a chapter of his life will remain largely unwritten. Despite this, Gavin did his best to live life to the fullest. After graduating from Basic Training and Airborne School, an impressive feat for someone who vehemently refused to get on a perfectly good plane to take a vacation, let alone jump out of one, Gavin settled into his life with the 10th Special Forces Group. Gavin was incredibly proud to be a part of the 10th Group family, and having recently been promoted to SPC, he had dreams of taking on new assignments, seeing new places, and signing re-enlistment contracts.

As much as Gavin loved the military, he also loved his wife, Brandy (Kofler) Fallis. Gavin had a crush on Brandy since he met her during his sophomore year in high school, and from the beginning they were incredibly close. After Brandy graduated high school the two took some time to focus on their own paths only to reconnect while Gavin was in Basic Training. After a whirlwind long-distance relationship, the two were married on April 7, 2022, and they never looked back. Gavin and Brandy were committed to each other, committed to their unborn baby, and committed to crafting a life all their own regardless of the challenges. Love united Gavin and Brandy here on earth, it kept them together as they traveled home together from Colorado, and it will keep them together forever in heaven.

Although Gavin is no longer able to physically brighten our days, his spirit will forever live on in the hearts of all who loved him. His legacy of compassion, determination, and loyalty will always be remembered by his father, Justin Fallis (Melissa Sheridan); mother, Cheryl Hoyt (Ron); sister, Adryane Fallis; half-brothers, Carter and Carson Hoyt; paternal grandparents, Robert and Janice Fallis; maternal grandparents, Thomas Hanrahan and Karen (Michael) Dinneen, comrades in the 10th Special Forces Group, and countless other close family and friends.

Brandy Michelle (Kofler) Fallis

Brandy Michelle (Kofler) Fallis died unexpectedly on July 13, 2023, along with her husband Gavin and their unborn child. She was just 21 years old.

Brandy and her husband Gavin, who was active duty Army, were driving home to Tallahassee to surprise their families with the news that they were expecting their first child. They would have then driven down to Tampa for their long overdue honeymoon cruise. Instead, their car was hit head on by a driver who was passing in a no-passing zone at over 100 miles per hour, and their families are planning a funeral instead of a baby shower.

Brandy had just graduated with honors from Tallahassee Community College, and had been admitted to Florida State University as the next step in her path toward her dream job as an anesthesiologist. She was an award-winning artist, animal lover, and genuinely wonderful human being with a bright future who was taken way too soon.

Brandy is survived by her grandmother, parents, older sister, younger brothers, aunt, uncle, and her beloved dog Cookie.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Brandy’s and Gavin’s names to the Special Forces Foundation, a non-profit that provides tragedy assistance and survivor support for military families (https://fundraise.givesmart.com/e/PaZVuA?vid=zqwnv).

And please drive safely.

Brandy, we miss you dearly.

The Fallis and Kofler families will receive friends on Sunday, July 30, 2023 from 4:00pm until 6:00pm at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road, Tallahassee.

A joint service for Brandy and Gavin is scheduled at 10:00am on Monday, July 31, 2023, at Fresh Life Church, 4852 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32308 immediately followed by full military honors and committal at 12:00 pm at the Tallahassee National Cemetery, 5015 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32311.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CulleysMeadowWood.com for the Fallis family.