Gavin Keith Thorsen, 61, of Pensacola, FL, died unexpectedly on Saturday, October 2, 2021.

Adopted shortly after his birth on August 29, 1960, by his wonderful parents, Dr. Gavin E. and Clara "Betty" Thorsen. Gavin Keith Thorsen was a lifelong resident of Pensacola. He graduated from Woodham High School in 1978. After attending several universities, he graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in Business Administration (Organizational Management).

His parents always saw that he was active in church. For several years he attended Pensacola Christian School where his fourth-grade teacher introduced him to a life with Christ, which had a profound effect on his life. His senior year of high school he joined First Baptist Church where he grew immensely in his faith.  He tried various jobs, but the whole time, a small voice continued to remind him of his calling to the ministry, which he ignored and fought for years.

He met Heidi Husser on a blind date in December 1999, and proposed in January 2000.  During their courtship, he became a member at Scenic Heights Baptist Church, so that he could "marry the church organist". They were married on July 22, 2000.

He became an ordained deacon. After some discussion and prayer with his wife and pastor, he finally surrendered to the call of God on his life. Scenic Heights also ordained him as a minister.  In May 2008 he graduated with a Master of Divinity from Luther Rice Seminary. He preached, and performed several weddings and funerals, but fear held a grip on him that he did not pursue this calling any further.

He served as Chairman of Deacons, Church Moderator, Sunday School teacher, and any other position that needed filling at Scenic Heights Baptist. For several years, he taught a Sunday School class at East Brent Baptist Church, and also served there as a deacon. His teaching brought such a wealth of history and background for the passages that he taught, that people were able to apply the Bible to their daily lives.

Although he suffered from anxiety, once he felt accepted, he always deeply cared about people, and had a strange and sometimes sarcastic sense of humor and a big smile.  He had various hobbies including traveling (49 of the 50 states and Europe), earning his private pilot license before he could drive a car, fishing, sailing, camping, amateur radio operating, studying history, languages, and current events, reading his Bible, and praying. He sincerely cared about people and held them up in prayer.

He is preceded in death by his father, Gavin E. Thorsen; grandparents; various aunts and uncles and father-in-law, James Husser.

His survivors include his mother, Clara "Betty" Thorsen of Pensacola, FL; mother-in-law, Irma Husser of Pensacola, FL; wife, Heidi Thorsen of Pensacola, FL; sister, Karen Thorsen of Pensacola, FL; brother, Ken Thorsen of Pensacola, FL; several nephews and nieces; dearest friend Mark Calder (Janette) of Pensacola, FL and their children and families.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until the funeral service begins at 3:00pm on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel with Rev. Wade Rials, officiating. Burial will follow at Bayview Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be members of East Brent Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to East Brent Baptist Church, 4801 N. Davis Hwy., Pensacola, FL 32503.