Gabe Patillo, who previously served as TobyMac’s (Toby McKeehan) hype man, passed away last Friday following his battle with cancer.
According to the Gospel Music Association (GMA), Patillo was the son of GMA President Jackie Patillo and did background vocals for TobyMac’s Diverse City Band as well as working as a choreographer, dancer, and tour producer.
“He will be hugely missed. We know heaven is rejoicing but are praying for Jesus to be near to the many friends and family who loved Gabriel so very much,” the GMA said in a statement.
“Gabe was known for his lifelong love for Jesus,” the organization added. “His faith was part of his every day and the reason for his infectious smile. To know Gabe was to know how much he loved the Lord and his family.”
Patillo’s additional accomplishments include voiceover acting, dancing for dc Talk when he was a child, and appearing in multiple music videos for Brentwood Music. He was also a theater actor at Nashville’s Opryland during his childhood.
A day after Patillo’s death, McKeehan made a post on social media in tribute to his late friend.
“I saw him become a man, a husband and a father that I respect. A guy that went from being like my lil bro to a man that continues to inspire me in every aspect of my life. What an utter privilege it has been to call him friend,” he wrote in part.
“Please pray for Gabe’s family and our community as we have lost a genuine load-bearing pillar of our village,” McKeenhan concluded.
I wish everyone knew Gabe Patillo. I wish everyone could walk with him, get challenged by him, collaborate with him, laugh with him, pray with him, meditate on scripture with him and be loved by him.We pushed each other every aspect of my life.What an utter privilege it has been pic.twitter.com/G2YwDNqouu
— TOBYMAC*0FFICIAL (@TOBYMAC0FF18123) April 14, 2024
As reported by Church Leaders, Patillo stepped down from touring with McKeenhan in February due to his health.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Patillo’s family. As of Tuesday, the online fundraiser has raised $153,281 out of its $250,000 goal.
Patillo is survived by his wife and their three children.
Image credit: @TOBYMAC0FF18123 on X
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.