Community rallies with support for family after tragic accident claims life of Willis grad

Irvin Cortes
Dec 19, 2025
4 min read

by Jace Chevalier and Elizabeth Bracken • Dec 3, 2025 • 404 Views

photo or infographic by Ella McDonald

ALL SMILES. At the game against Conroe during his senior year, Irvin Cortes cheers on the team in their win over the Tigers.

His smile. His sense of humor. His kindness. His friendship. Irvin Cortes will be remembered for all these things and so much more.

Irvin “Gaby” Cortes passed away on Nov. 15, 2025, after a tragic accident in Lubbock, TX. Irvin and his twin, Frankie, were inseparable. Anytime you saw one twin, the other was around as well. They were the living embodiment of living life to the fullest.

“I felt like their triplet,” senior Carl Mixon said. “We were together for weeks at a time. We would always go on TikTok live and get hundreds of viewers at a time calling ourselves ‘the triplets.’ A lot of my junior year revolved around my plans with Irvin and Frankie, and I wouldn’t take any of it back.”

Irvin was a vibrant individual who brought effortless joy and energy to every moment he was in.

“He was like an older sibling,” junior Berkley Harris said. “Sometimes I hated him but I could never not love him. There was one time we were listening to ‘Bennie And The Jets,’ and we couldn’t stop singing and laughing. Irvin’s smile and laughter were so warm.”

Irvin graduated from Willis High School in 2025 and left to pursue his academic career at Texas Tech University. On Nov. 20, the university displayed their flag at half staff in memory of the freshman. The news of his death affected a large number of students from close friends to acquaintances.

“Irvin was like a brother to me, ” senior Jermaine Bishop said. “I looked up to him in a way. He always kept me going. He was uplifting and I’ll remember him forever.”

The loss of a person like Irvin was absolutely devastating.

“Irvin was one of my best friends,” senior Audrey Hensley said. “He was one of the funniest people ever. It’s hard to mourn his death because he was such a joyful person. It’s hard to be sad and think of him at the same time.”

Irvin played at the varsity level in both basketball and volleyball. He was one of the biggest sparks of energy and joy to both teams. As a captain on the volleyball team, he led the team in its second and third ever seasons. On the basketball team he was loved by every individual who got to watch him and play with him.

“Irvin was a very energetic player,” Coach Wayne Ware said. “He was always full of life, and he always brought energy and happiness to the team.

In one of his final acts of love and kindness, Irvin chose to be an organ donor. His organs gave life after his death. He was able to donate five organs, one of those being his kidney. His kidney was donated to an individual who had been waiting for five years in search of one.

From his death, the Irvin “Gaby” Cortes Foundation was also established. Its goal is to empower youth to discover their calling as Irvin once did. Donations help provide scholarships, career counseling and faith-based guidance to build a brighter future for those in need.

“This makes you appreciate the life we have because our time isn’t promised,” Hensley said.

For many, Irvin’s death has highlighted the fragility of life, and how blessed people are to be surrounded by great friends, family and community. The owner of Kiki’s Snow Balls, Kyle Ewald, met Irvin one time, and the meeting really impacted him. The business held a memorial service on Nov. 22, where the community gathered with the family and walked with them in this tribulation. All profits sold on this day were donated to the family as well. Students were able to meet with Ari, his younger sister, and Frankie.

“We gathered to honor the life of Irvin, a young man whose time here was far too short,” Ewald posted on his Facebook page. “Our hearts break for the Cortes family, and we are so sorry they are having to walk through this kind of pain. It was a privilege to speak, encourage, and remind everyone that God is near to the https://wildkats.org/2025/12/03/community-rallies-with-the-support-for-family-after-tragic-accident-claims-life-of-willis-graduate/brokenhearted.”

The community has also donated to support Irvin’s family during this difficult time. After the creation of a Gofundme, the community and beyond was able to provide over $30,000 in aid and support. On Dec. 2, a memorial service was held at The Ark Church with an incredible turnout. The school and community were lucky that Irvin blessed them with just a small part of his life.

“Irvin and I were really good friends,” senior Maddie Mae Bratton said. “Our entire friend group is really close, so it felt like I lost a brother. This is a wake up call. We need to put drama aside and treat everyone like it’s their last day.”

Comments