Gilead “Gillie” Davy McGahee was born December 8, 1991 in Middletown, CT to Dava Davy McGahee and Carlton Howard McGahee III. Gillie attended East Central HS of China Grove, TX and graduated from Alma de Arte HS of Las Cruces, NM in 2009. He completed a degree in Liberal Arts at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque in May 2014.
Gillie was a deeply beloved brother and son, a beautiful person, and a richly talented artist, singer and musician who played many instruments. During his short time with us he contributed a great deal to the artistic treasures of our world. You can hear his music at Band Camp or SoundCloud under his band, “Nocturnal Company” (Band Camp link: https://nocturnalcompany.bandcamp.com/, SoundCloud link: https://soundcloud.com/nocturnalcompany). Gil wrote the music and lyrics, performed the vocals, and played many instruments, creating five albums with several musical collaborators. He was a self-taught drummer. You can hear him drumming for the band “Post War Germany” on these same music media platforms. Always open to spontaneous musical exploration and improv, you may have seen Gil drumming with the TJ Brown Band or supporting other local musicians at River Run in Rainbow River Estates.
Gil had just completed a new album, Phantasy Strength, and was incredibly excited to share it. He felt it was his best work to date and described it as the “most important music I’ve ever made.” Our family is working to put this album out for him on SoundCloud and BandCamp.
In addition to his surreal musical talents, Gillie was incredibly funny and clever. He absolutely loved to laugh. He liked the color purple, guava kombucha, grilled cheese, jalapeño potato chips, Tera Melos, Tame Impala, Fall of Troy, Dodge vans and old Volvos. You could easily spot his 6’5″ frame usually attired in his favorite outfit; his Dad’s 1970s iconic sweater and his traveler pants. Gil had a unique perspective; always discussing the mysteries of the universe and the human condition. He was sensitive and thoughtful and because he was an organ donor, someone received his corneas and is able to see today. He was growing his hair to donate to chemotherapy patients. He was looking forward to being the musician for his older sister Genna’s wedding this summer, in June 2021.
Gillie was the youngest of five siblings. He was 29 at the time of his unexpected departure from this world. He is so loved and will be deeply missed forever by his loving parents and siblings, Gaea, 43, Gabriel 40, Genna, 36, and Grant, 31. He was our fifth “G” and so precious to us all. He is also mourned and remembered by his sisters-in-law, Chaise Davy and Michelle McGahee, and by his brothers-in-law, Skyler Hackley and Ethan Jackson. He was preceded in passing by his paternal grandparents in Connecticut and most recently by his grandma and grandpa, Violet “Vi” and Charles Davy in Florida. Gil moved from Texas to Crystal River, Florida in 2020. This gave him the opportunity to spend time with his Grandma Vi, even visiting during COVID separated by her apartment window, before her passing at 101 in early 2021. They discussed his hopes around music and she told stories from her long life. We trust they are together somewhere in the cosmos, enjoying each other’s company.
Nothing can ever repair the sudden loss of our beloved, struck down by a hit and run driver April 25, 9:20 p.m. on County Road 488 (W Dunnellon Rd) just west of North Springvale Terrace, near Crystal River, Florida. Life is fragile and we do not quite realize just how immensely and profoundly precious someone is until we must walk this life without them. We will think of Gillie and miss him every day of our lives.
If you would like to contribute to the completion of his fifth music album, in memorial, please contribute to our fundraiser through Go Fund Me (Link: https://gofund.me/13edceaf). Arrangements for Gilead were private at the Charles Davis Funeral Home, Inverness, FL. Please leave any thoughts for Gil in the Cloud.
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