Dad Who Died Saving Family from Texas Flooding Made the ‘Ultimate Sacrifice,’ Mother-in-Law Says

The family of Julian Ryan, a 27-year-old father who lost his life while trying to save his loved ones during the devastating Texas floods, is remembering him as a selfless hero.

“When the time came, he made the ultimate sacrifice to save what was most important to him—his family,” said his mother-in-law Pamela Baker in a statement to PEOPLE. “He wasn’t just their hero, but mine. I couldn’t have reached them even if I had known. He is irreplaceable to me.”

Ryan was at home in Ingram, Texas, with his wife Christinia Wilson, their children, and his mother when waters from the nearby Guadalupe River surged into their house early on Friday, July 4. Within minutes, the home began to flood.

“It just started pouring in,” Wilson told KHOU. “We had to fight the door to get it closed to make sure not too much got in.”

Realizing their lives were in danger, Ryan punched through a window to help his family escape—but in doing so, he severed an artery in his arm, nearly losing the limb.

Despite frantic 911 calls, help never arrived in time. In his final moments, Ryan delivered a heartbreaking goodbye:

“I’m sorry. I’m not going to make it. I love y’all,” he told his family, according to Wilson. His body was recovered hours later.

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A Devoted Husband, Father, and Son-in-Law

In her tribute, Baker said Ryan was the kind of man every mother hopes her daughter will marry.

“He brought out the best version of my daughter. He loved her and their babies with all of himself. He was always optimistic, always there when we needed him.”

Wilson echoed those sentiments, remembering her husband as a joyful, dedicated family man.

“He was a good man—strong, loving, and always happy. He tried to save us, and we’ll always be grateful. I see him every day in our son,” she said.

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Outpouring of Support

A GoFundMe campaign created to support the family has raised over $90,000 as of Monday morning, July 7.

“Julian was known for his infectious laugh and unwavering kindness,” the fundraiser reads. “He touched countless lives with his humor and will be deeply missed.”

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Ongoing Crisis in Central Texas

Ryan’s tragic death is one of at least 82 confirmed fatalities from the catastrophic flooding that hit Central Texas beginning on July 4, following days of intense rainfall that overwhelmed rivers and infrastructure.

The Guadalupe River swallowed entire neighborhoods in the Hill Country, and dozens remain missing as rescue efforts continue.

In the wake of tragedy, Ryan’s family is also raising concerns about the lack of emergency warnings, saying flood sirens or earlier alerts could have saved lives.

“If we had heard something, anything… we would have left. We had safe places to go,” said Wilson.

Julian Ryan is survived by his wife, their children, and a grieving family who say they’ll never forget his courage and love.