Gavin Cole Sexton

Gavin Cole Sexton, age 19, of Wilmington, North Carolina passed away Monday, May 3, 2021, at his home on Carolina Beach.

Gavin is the son of Daphane and Mark Merriman and Scott Sexton. He was born on December 8, 2001 at the University of Tennessee, in Knoxville. Gavin and his family moved to Carolina Beach in 2008. The beach was his home.

Gavin was a caring son, brother, boyfriend, and friend. He had a beautiful heart, was compassionate, understanding, and genuine to everyone around him. He was incredibly smart, goal oriented, and quick witted. Gavin was always making everyone laugh and enjoyed being surrounded by others.

Gavin graduated from Eugene Ashley High School in May of 2020. He had so many friends whom he loved and in turn, loved him. Some of his favorite things were music, sports, fishing, clothing, and shoes. Gavin and his girlfriend Olivia Paplham had plans to start their life together in Chicago later this year. He was planning to attend trade school to become an electrician.

Gavin loved nothing more than being with friends and family. He and his mom shared a bond like no other – he was her rock. Gavin loved football, especially the New England Patriots. He and his dad Mark loved attending or watching any sporting event together. Gavin and his sister Ana enjoyed hanging out, shopping, eating ice cream, listening to music, and enjoying the beach. He also enjoyed visiting his family in Kentucky and riding four wheelers with his grandpa and grandma.

Gavin is survived by his mom and dad, Daphane and Mark Merriman; his father, Scott Sexton; sister, Ana Merriman; girlfriend, Olivia Paplham; grandparents, Wilma Walls, Doug and Kathy Musgrove, Doug Sexton, Theresa and Dean Nardi, Don and Joyce Merriman; aunts, Erika (Dennis K) Merriman, Ashley (Joshua) Shepperd, Emily (C.J.) Williams, Rebecca (Ronnie) Clark, and Valerie Graham; uncles, Doug Musgrove, Andrew (Angelica) Sexton, and a host of special family and friends who adored him.

A visitation will be held Saturday May 8,2021, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, located at 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403. All family and friends are invited to share in honoring Gavin’s life. The family requests that you come causal and comfortable, as that’s what Gavin would have wanted.

Following Saturday’s service, Gavin will make his way back to his hometown in Kentucky. Once there, another service for family and friends will be planned.