A line drawing of a fish with detailed scales and fins on a black background.

Memory Wall

If you have a favorite story, memory, or message about Gage, we'd love for you to share it here.

Bass Fishing

I had the privilege of fishing with Gage, and my son Brandon, on several occasions. He would always show up with a huge smile on his face, and then we would all proceed to talk trash about who was going to catch the most fish, and biggest fish of the day. He was an amazing kid, with a huge heart. At the end of each trip, I would always tell him I loved him, and he always reciprocated with a huge hug, and an I love you back. We called him "Gager"....My condolences to the family, I will think about him every time I'm bass fishing with Brandon. Love you Gager, you will be missed, but never forgotten.

Love,

Jim
- Jim Peeler

School

Gage was a student of mine. What I remember most was his determination to complete a task. He often completed work quickly and confidently. There were a few times that he found challenges and you could see the time in his face change slightly into a work hungry expression. He would then fix it or complete the project with more aptitude and the strive for excellence.

He was a stand out student.
- Cameren Moran

Through his grandma's eyes

Matt, Cheri and family....I wanted to post something about Gage since I've been around him most of his growing up years. However I don't have personal wonderful memories to share. My knowledge of Gage comes through his Grandma's eyes. Marilyn has always shared her enthusiasm as a proud grandma for each of her grandkids. Sporting events, family gatherings, texting and chit chat and the annual family photo that she would share with me. Her love and joy for everyone of you has been an encouragement to me now that I am a grandma. She has set the bar pretty high in my opinion. Her sharing has given me a lovely picture in my mind to remember Gage by. Hugs and love to each of you.
- MaryJane

Miss You

We first got to know Gage in Little League and then our families became friends. Gage was always so good to be around and was so upbeat. I remember talking to him quite a bit about how much he was enjoying welding and that he had found his niche in life. I’ve worked with and been around a lot of welders at times in my life and it is definitely a passion and art. I was so happy for Gage. Rest in peace, Gage, and we will see you on the diamond or go catch some bass!
- Pat Meriwether

Huffier and puffier

A memory that always brings a smile. A large family gathering. Gage brings a girlfriend to meet the family. He wears a tractor cap.

The family heads outdoors for a group photo. She stands nearby. I watch from the window. That is when I catch Gage frantically running his fingers through his hair. Over and over again. He is trying to undo the smashed hair from his tractor cap. The hair gets worse. He keeps trying. It puffs out even more.

Happily, neither he nor his girlfriend can hear my loud laughter.
- Ron Berst

I have spent the last week off-grid with plenty of solo time, fishing and thinking of Gage often. Gage is part of our family since he was born and brought such fun and enthusiasm everytime we were together. It was always an adventure with Gage present with our kids.

His smile was infectious, he was very kind to everyone and was so easy to love.

Gage and I shared many great visits, starting with golf as he took up that sport. Then it transitioned to manufacturing and welding and then onto fly fishing. We often chatted about getting out on a river together and I am glad that Matt was able to share that experience with him.

We will continue to love Gage and all that he brought to our family.

Love, Uncle Steven.
- Steven Hofer

I had the privilege to help Gage mount a front bumper on his 4 runner. His attention to detail impressed me, moving the floor jack around until the bumper was placed perfectly. We also mounted a light bar on the Toyota and again his artistic eye shined through, undoubtedly a trait inherited from his artistic parents. The one time I golfed with him I was amazed at his course management. Never seemed to hit a bad shot and if it wasn’t perfect he had a good recovery. He was always under control kept focused and didn’t hurry a shot. We will certainly miss him.
- Arn Mosbrucker

I’ll always remember Gage with a big smile and the funniest personality. Some of my favorite memories with him include time on the lake or up at the mountain and spending time together as a family. To know him was to love him!
- Makenzie Hofer

Coworker at steel fab

I met Gage through steel fab and I always remember how nice he was to everyone and was an extremely skilled fabricator. Trade work is hard yet he seemed to come in and put all his effort into what he did and seemed to love doing it too. I hope and pray for healing for his family.
- Melissa Cameron

Coworker

I remember him starting as a new welder at Steelfab and in a blink of an eye he became one of the BEST fabricators in history HANDS DOWN. He could fabricate anything and everything. When we worked at General trailer towards the end of both our times there I was pregnant and scared of course because this was my first baby, before Gage left he told me “you’re going to be a great mom Bri” Those words meant a lot to this first time mama.
- Bri

I’ll always remember Gator as the guy with the biggest smile in the middle of all the fun. Gage would always put in the effort to spend time together whether that would mean traveling by car train or plane. Gage taught me how to fish and how to be a true friend. I’ll forever cherish having him by my side on my wedding day
- Lincoln Hofer

Apex Ski Trip

We enjoyed numerous family interactions as the kids grew. In 2017, we celebrated New Years with a few days at Apex Ski Resort in Canada in a big house. The kids humored their parents, and you can sense a little how they felt about lining up in party gear for the obligatory pic:) Our families are forever intertwined, and Gage has a big part of that.
- Greg Grillo

Crawling into bed

We were visiting Matt and Cheri one summer and one night I woke up to someone crawling into our king bed and settling in the middle of the bed ready to go to sleep. I realized it was Gage and he was sleepwalking. So I had to wake him up and take him back to where he was sleeping. We all had a good laugh the next morning when we told them what had happened.
- Lisa Grillo