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Adrian Gomez
 Christopher “Adrian” Gomez was born on January 6th, 1982, in Mexico City. There, that day celebrates “Los Reyes Magos,” the three Kings who brought gifts to baby Jesus. Adrian’s family says that he was truly a gift to them and to all with whom he came in contact.
He spent his first five years in Cancun, Mexico, then moved to Signal Mountain, Tennessee, near Chattanooga with his mom and older brother. Not speaking a word of English initially, he mastered the language within months. Adrian was a sportsman from the beginning. He became part of Signal Mountain’s select soccer team at a very young age, played baseball as well, and dabbled in basketball. Snowboarding was another passion for this active young man.
Witty, humorous, loyal, fiery, sensitive and fearless – all are words that his family and friends use to describe Adrian. They remember him for his wonderful way of connecting with people and for the way he always took up for his friends. People say that, when he came into a room, it lit up; Adrian was known for his engaging smile.
He attended elementary and junior high school on Signal Mountain and high school at Notre Dame in Chattanooga, graduating in the year 2000. He was a student at Chattanooga State at the time of his accident.
In the early hours of November 4, 2002, he was asleep in the back seat of his car, which was being driven by one of his friends. The boys were on their way back from a concert by Widespread Panic, a group Adrian loved. It was a rainy night and Adrian was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. The driver of the car, who was speeding, lost control of the vehicle near Knoxville, Tennessee. Adrian was thrown out of the car. He was taken to the trauma unit at UT Medical Center, where it became apparent he would not survive. As an ultimate gift, he became an organ donor. He left this earth on November 7, 2002.
Adrian’s mother, Olga Franklin, was in the habit of leaving “sticky notes” on the fridge for her son in the mornings, with reminders for him to drive safely, be careful and always wear his seatbelt. She feels such reminders are important for drivers of every age but particularly for teenagers and young adults.
She says, “Adrian lived in the moment. He taught his family a lot. We feel he is still teaching us to be more compassionate and loving. His energy lives on…”
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