In a powerful act of love and sacrifice, 35-year-old Julian Ryan gave his life to save his fiancée, children, and mother during the catastrophic flash floods that struck Kerrville, Texas, on July 4.
As floodwaters from the Guadalupe River surged through Louise Hays Park and into surrounding neighborhoods, Julian managed to break a window and help his family reach the roof for safety. But in doing so, he severed an artery—an injury that would ultimately prove fatal.
“He looked at me, the kids, and his mother and said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all,’” his fiancée, Christinia Wilson, tearfully recalled to MailOnline. Julian’s body was recovered later that morning after the waters began to recede.
Julian’s final moments have become a heartbreaking symbol of courage in the midst of disaster. A GoFundMe set up by his family describes his death as “unexpected and tragic,” noting that his heroism has left “an unfillable void” in their lives.
“He died a hero,” said his sister, Connie Salas. “That will never go unnoticed.”
Julian is remembered not only for his bravery but for the warmth he brought to those around him. “He had an infectious laugh, unwavering kindness, and touched countless lives with his humor,” his family shared on the fundraising page. “We are shattered by our loss, but eternally grateful for his sacrifice.”
The flooding, which has claimed at least 51 lives, hit the area with brutal force after an unprecedented deluge dropped months’ worth of rain in just a few hours. Among the hardest-hit locations was Camp Mystic, a nearby Christian summer camp, where 27 children remain missing.
Rescue crews have been working around the clock in what they describe as “a very harsh environment,” saving stranded victims from rooftops and treetops.
As the death toll rises and families grieve, state officials are facing criticism over how quickly warnings were issued and whether more could have been done to protect vulnerable areas like summer camps. Authorities insist the intensity and speed of the flooding was beyond anything they had anticipated.
Still, the question lingers: Could lives like Julian Ryan’s have been saved? For his family, the answer doesn’t change the legacy he leaves behind—a father, partner, and son who gave everything to protect the ones he loved.
