Julian Ryan. Credit :
gofundme
- A young dad shared heartbreaking final words with his family before he was killed in the Texas flooding tragedy on July 4
- Julian Ryan was with his fiancée Christinia Wilson, their children and his mother at his home when the flooding occurred
- Ryan, 27, was remembered by loved ones as having “an infectious laugh and unwavering kindness”
A family has revealed a young dad’s heartbreaking final words before he was killed in the Texas flooding tragedy earlier this week.
Julian Ryan was with his fiancée Christinia Wilson, their children and his mother at his home in Ingram when the water in the nearby Guadalupe River began to rise on the morning of Friday, July 4, according to KHOU 11.
Wilson told the outlet that within less than half an hour, water was inside their house. “It just started pouring in, and we had to fight the door to get it closed to make sure not too much got in. We went back to the room and started calling 911,” she said.
Realizing the imminent danger, Wilson told KHOU 11 that Ryan, 27, punched a window in the home to allow his family members to exit to safety, but he injured himself in the process. “It severed his artery in his arm and almost cut it clean off,” she said.
Despite continued calls to 911, Wilson said police were unable to assist the family, and Ryan shared an emotional goodbye with his loved ones before he died, telling them, “I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all.” Wilson told KHOU 11 that her fiancé’s body wasn’t recovered until hours later.
The aftermath of the Texas flooding tragedy in July 2025. AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Speaking with KHOU 11, Ryan’s loved ones remembered the young man and his couregous act to save his family.
Ryan’s sister, Connie Salas, said, “He is the hero in this story,” while Kris Roberts, his best friend, added, “He’s the kindest person I’ve ever met in my life, and I’ll forever love him no matter what.”
In a GoFundMe set up to “help alleviate the unforeseen financial burdens” tied to Ryan’s death, he was remembered as “a cherished son and devoted parent and fiancé who was dedicated to his family.”
“He was known to have an infectious laugh and unwavering kindness. He touched countless lives with his humor and will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” continued the fundraising page of Ryan.
The aftermath of the Texas flooding tragedy in July 2025. AP Photo/Julio Cortez
More than 50 people have been confirmed dead, and numerous others remain missing, due to the flooding as of the morning of Sunday, July 6, NBC News, CNN and The Washington Post reported.
Some of the dead and missing include campers of Camp Mystic — an all-girls, Christian summer camp — grandparents and a family of four.
Texas Gov. Abbott said in an initial July 4 statement the state “is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods.” In another, shared a day later, he issued a proclamation declaring Sunday, July 6, a “Day of Prayer” in Texas.
Ryan’s family told KHOU 11 that they believe better preparations could’ve been taken within Texas, including the use of flood sirens.
“Everybody would’ve been worried — ‘What’s that noise?’ ” Wilson said. “We would have left. We would have gone anywhere else. We had so many places that were safe.”
