Gabriel Charles Percy

Gabriel Charles Percy was born on April 17, 1978, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Charles Raymond Percy and Linda Ellen Thomas Percy. He grew up in Sheffield, Iowa, which he referred to as his “Hamlet”. Gabriel loved the Army since he was only 2 years old, so much so that at 17, he joined the Iowa Army National Guard in April of 1995 before graduating high school in 1996. After graduation, Gabriel attended basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was a member of the Charlie Company, 1-133rd Infantry Battalion, 34th Division. He was incredibly proud to be a member of the Red Bull Division and part of their honorable tradition. During his service, he did tours in Sinai, Egypt for seven months from 2003-2004, he served in Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom for seventeen months from 2006-2007, and Afghanistan for twelve months from 2010-2011, he then retired after eighteen years of service in 2013 as an E6. He was a highly decorated member of the service earning many medals and accomplishments, such as Marksmanship Qualification Badge with a rifle, Marksmanship Qualification Badge with a grenade, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Multinational Force and Observers Medal, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with a Machine Gun, Overseas Service Bar, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, NATO Afghanistan Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon. During his service, Gabriel was trained in multiple courses, including Active Shooter Threat Training, Infantry Advance Leader’s Course, Army Risk Management, Combat Lifesaving, Primary Leadership Development, and Force Protection Security. Gabriel attended North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, Iowa, where he received an associate’s degree in criminal justice. Later in life, he went back to school and planned to obtain his bachelor’s degree in history in 2025. Gabriel loved history and had an impeccable memory of historical dates. He took pride in his knowledge of what he referred to as “useless facts.” Close to his retirement from military service, Gabriel met Rosetta Josephine Padilla Percy, they were both what each other needed at that time and were homebodies that liked to stay up late and have long conversations. Their relationship led to traveling back and forth to be together for two years. Once he retired, he moved to New Mexico to be with her and wanted a fresh start after his military service. After many years together, they were finally married on a cold New Years night of 2024. Together, they had two sons, 10-year-old Gabriel Charles Percy Jr. and their surprise baby, 3-month-old, Gideon Cecil Percy. Gabriel spent many years employed at FLETC as an Armed Guard. He was employed with New Mexico Military Institute, and as a substitute teacher for the Roswell Independent School District. He cared for the youth and was always there to support and offer advice. During his tenure at New Mexico Military Institute, one of his favorite things was offering the young cadets tips and tricks on fixing their boots and uniforms. He did all things with pride and honor, and he will be remembered as such. Gabriel had many passions in his life. He loved spending time with his sons and listening to music, specifically old music from the 1950s and 1960s, and he loved old traditional gospel music, especially by Alan Jackson. He loved reading, going outside, planting jalapenos, watching Star Trek, Supernatural, The Lord of the Rings, and Marvel. Gabriel’s favorite holiday was Independence Day; he loved it for all the F’s: Freedom, Food, Fun, Family, and, of course, Fireworks. He was an avid reader of the Bible but strictly the KJV, King James Version, he loved Jesus with everything he had and was quick to defend his faith. He was loyal to his two sports teams, the Oakland Raiders and the Iowa State Cyclones. It is said that Gabriel could never be found without a toothbrush or his black toiletry bag, and that is a fond memory that his family, friends, and military friends will always carry with them. Those left to eternally treasure and cherish memories of Gabriel are his beautiful wife, Rosetta Josephine Padilla Percy; his sons, Gabriel Charles Percy Jr. and Gideon Cecil Percy; daughter, Bobbie Broad; his parents, Charles Raymond Percy and Linda Ellen Percy; brothers, Daniel Robert (Sara) Percy and Benjamin Oliver (Jennifer) Percy; sister, Kattie Rae Percy; in-laws, Ida Carmona and Fernando Padilla; and numerous nieces and nephews. Gabriel’s family would like to thank Christ’s Church, his sister and brother-in-law, Senida and Lorenzo Sanchez, and his dear friends Gloria Baum and Tommy Eppers for loving, supporting, and carrying them through this last year. A special thank you is extended to all of Gabriel’s brothers he gained through his time in the military who have reached out. There will be a Celebration of Life for Gabriel held at the Iowa Falls Armory in Iowa Falls, Iowa on March 29th, 2025, from 1pm-3pm, a burial with full military honors, held at Fort Stanton State Veteran’s Cemetery, located in Fort Stanton, New Mexico, at a later date. Please follow Gabriel Percy’s Memorial Facebook page for further information on the service. The Old Rugged Cross Version by Alan Jackson On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross The emblem of suffering and shame And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain So I'll cherish the old rugged cross (rugged cross) Till my trophies at last I lay down I will cling to the old rugged cross And exchange it some day for a crown To the old rugged cross I will ever be true It's shame and reproach gladly bear Then he'll call me some day to my home far away Where his glory forever I'll share And I'll cherish the old rugged cross (rugged cross) Till my trophies at last I lay down And I will cling to the old rugged cross And exchange it some day for a crown I will cling to the old rugged cross And exchange it some day for a crown

Gabriel Charles Percy

April 17, 1978 - March 11, 2025