To Ryan and his loved ones:

I have been trying to come up with words for this post for over a week now since the unexpected tragedy that this is. I may have only known Ryan for 6 months and only as colleagues but he made a large impact on my life in that short period of time. I think that says a lot about Ryan, I remember we were supposed to be having a “work” meeting and him and I would get so side tracked because he was that type of person that is just SO easy to talk to. I know in that meeting we just dumped everything to each other. I told him secrets I don’t even tell my best of best friends, he was just that kind of person that made you feel comfortable. Thank you for taking me under your wing since day one at this new job and believing in me when maybe I didn’t believe in myself. You saw something in me that I maybe wasn’t aware of myself.  You’ve been on my mind non stop since this happened, I just spoke to you a few days before and now you’re gone. I may never understand why this happened but I know you are so loved by everyone in your life including your work team. We all love & miss you Ryan!

     It’s become hard to think of the right words to say when there are never the right ones to say good bye. Ryan, I’m so happy you came into my life and into my families life. My mom loved you she always thought you were very sweet and you were like the older brother I always wanted.

      I’m saddened that we never got to say goodbye, but I am so thankful for all the memories that we shared together. Not only have you left us memories but you connected us with your family and I am forever thankful for that because not only have they accepted us as family, but it keeps us close to you and keeps your memory vividly Alive.

     You were such a great friend to me when I wanted to open my own salon and I was nervous next to jeremey you were my number 1 supporter. You always had my back and any time we were around new people you would always add in the conversation “hey do you need your hair done? This is Stephanie she does a great job she does my whole family’s hair” and then proceed to take off your hat and say “look how she does mine!” Even if it was flattened by your hat 😂.

     You were one of my best friends and I’m so happy you and your family came into my life. I will be forever thankful for you bud. I love you, rest peacefully my friend ❤️

I am so very sorry to hear about Ryan. You are living every parents worst nightmare, and words of comfort from our families and friends are appreciated, but are really not much help when the hurt is this deep. At times like this, we must look to our Heavenly Father for comfort and peace, and for answers.

When my mom passed a couple of years ago, a bible verse kept running through my head...John 11:35 ; Jesus wept.

This is where Lazarus had died and Jesus went to Bethany with the intent to raise him from the dead. Lazarus sister ran to meet Jesus and tell him that if he had been there, their brother would not have died. When Jesus saw her crying, he wept. He wept because he loved her, and her heart break was his heart break, her pain was his pain. He certainly knew that Lazarus was going to be fine, and would be shortly walking among them again. It brought me comfort to know that Jesus was sharing my pain, and my burden, and even my tears, even though he knew that my mom was fine. I hope it brings you comfort as well.

We love you guys, and you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Worlds can’t describe the hurt and loss your whole family is feeling. I’m truly sorry and saddened about your families loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. 

sincerely,

Ryan's family is so grateful for all of  you who have taken time to share your memories and condolences. As we process our grief we'd like to share some of the things we're grateful for. Please consider sharing some of your memories of Ryan and what you're grateful for. 

This is Aly, his oldest sister. Just a handful of the things I am grateful for:

- The most loyal baby brother - he would never rat me out, no matter how awful I was when we were kids :)

- His relationship with my kids. Damn, they loved their Uncle Ryan. Between D&D, anime, monkey hugs, music. Forever grateful 

- His sense of humor and authenticity. He was so incredibly smart, yet so very humble and what a goofball. He could make anyone laugh

- Love of family, and some of those (Jeremy, Billy, Stephanie, Alissa) started as friends and became family

He leaves a legacy of love and we have all rallied around each other to help us through this grief. He's smiling down on us and I know he's so proud of the way we've come together to celebrate his life. 

Love you baby brother. Forever and beyond. XOXO Aly

Aly and Galen.      I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Ryan. Please know that you're in my heart and my prayers and I remain ready to walk with you. God bless you and your family.