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22-year-old children's ministry leader killed in car accident

City Church International San Antonio said Tristen Gage, 22, was a volunteer who worked with kids.

SAN ANTONIO — Tristen Gage, 22, was killed in a car crash along Wurzbach Parkway Friday afternoon. His friends said he was on his way to see his sick grandmother when he hit a concrete pillar just ahead of the Wetmore Road exit. 

Gage leaves behind his girlfriend of 4 years, Mari Kamargo. They had plans to get married in the new year.

"This world is so cruel and God wanted you home," Kamargo said. "I'm not going to question why, I know He had His reasons."

Kamargo said her boyfriend had a way of putting a positive spin on every situation. "He was funny," she said. "He always had corny jokes."

The college student balanced a full-time job with being a children's ministry leader at City Church International.

His future brother-in-law, Pastor Henry Becerra, said their beacon of light is gone. "His smile, it's radiant. It could light up a whole room," he said. "He was always an overachiever. He was the one who would always push for the best."

Becerra said Gage loved others without judgement. He was genuine and selfless. "He was a friendly person, always giving his smile everywhere he went," he said. "Everything he had, he was quick to give it away."

On Saturday night, members of the church gathered for a prayer vigil along the parkway. On Sunday morning, they had a memorial service at the church.

Kamargo said she still talks to Gage. In the morning and the evening, she reminds him how much he's missed. "I tell him, 'I love you so much, you didn't deserve what happened to you, babe,'" she said. 

Kamargo said she and Gage were both going to school for nursing. He was specializing in radiation while she's planning to work in labor and delivery.

In 2021, she'll walk the stage for two.

"I want to finish our degree," Kamargo said. "I'm doing it for him."

A GoFundMe has been set up to help with funeral costs. The fundraiser collected more than $6,000 toward its $6,500 goal.

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