Gabriel Malachi Kalu, 17, passed away on Monday, December 13, 2021. Gabriel was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, on September 2, 2004. He was a Senior at Grimsley High School and dual-enrolled at Guilford Technical Community College and worked at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. 

Gabe was an avid gamer, lyricist, songwriter, skater, runner, and armchair philosopher and scientist. He enjoyed his years in Cross Country and Indoor track at Grimsley, as well as Track & Field at Aycock Middle School. He liked to spend his time with friends, gaming on the PlayStation or Oculus, writing, learning, teaching, debating, giving, and making memories with his girlfriend. Gabriel would often help and do for others without accepting recognition for his acts of kindness. He often brought food and supplies to those without homes and volunteered in Assisted Care facilities while in the Health Science program at school. He never logged or tracked his gifts to others for benefit of school or potential college recognition for fear those gifts would lose meaning- he refused to benefit from his service in any way and would sacrifice his own comforts to provide for those around him.

Gabriel was tentatively planning to stay in Greensboro when he graduated to attend UNCG or A&T. He was awaiting their decisions. He had been accepted to eleven colleges and received six merit-based scholarships thus far from NC schools including ECU, WCU, NCCU, Greensboro College and Guilford College and was anticipating answers from others. He was looking forward to visiting Winter Wonder light at the Science Center on the night of December 15th and Christmas break next week, as well as eagerly awaiting Senior Graduation and Prom in the Summer. 

Gabe's impact expanded beyond what he could have possibly understood. Along with the world mourning his loss, he leaves behind his parents - mother, Tiffany Sue Perry, of Greensboro, NC ; and father, Ole Chidiebere Ogbogu Kalu, of Miami, FL; siblings; his girlfriend and forever love, Trista Michelle Percell of Greensboro, NC; best friend and brother Xavier Brock Shipp, of Greensboro, NC; comrade, mentor, and confidant Dr. Ryan Kelly of Charlotte, NC; and several classmates, teachers, professors, coaches, school administrators, friends, current and former co-workers, gamers, skaters, and blessed strangers whose souls he left his imprint on. 

Visitation begins at 10:00 am and a memorial service will follow at 11:00 am. Sunday, December 19, 2021, Triad Cremation & Funeral Service. Friends are welcome to stay for the memorial to share thoughts, memories, or stories if they so choose