Final words of father who died in floods exposed.
A brave father’s final moments are making headlines after he died saving his family from the deadly July 4 floods in Texas.
Catastrophic floods explained.
Counties across the state were overwhelmed as rivers surged past their banks, prompting a swift and urgent state of emergency.
In Kerr County, the Guadalupe River rose to a staggering 26 feet, flooding homes, roads, and everything in its path.
Inside a modest trailer home in Ingram, Julian Ryan, his fiancée Christinia Wilson, their two young kids, and Julian’s mother were sleeping peacefully.
Just before dawn, they were jolted awake by the deafening rush of water crashing into their home.
Father’s final moments profiled.
“Water just started pouring in,” Christinia told KHOU 11. “We had to fight the door to get it closed.”
As the trailer filled rapidly, they tried calling 911 — but it was too late. Help couldn’t get to them.
“We had no choice but to get out,” Christinia said. The rising water left them with only one option: escape to the roof.
That’s when Julian, thinking only of his family, rushed to smash a window to get them out.
But in doing so, a shard of glass slashed through his arm — severing a major artery.
“It almost cut it clean off,” Christinia recalled, describing the horror of watching him bleed.
Despite the gruesome wound, Julian didn’t hesitate — he helped everyone climb to the roof, making sure his kids and fiancée were safe.
Bleeding heavily and without access to emergency care, Julian’s condition rapidly deteriorated.
Christinia tried to apply pressure to his wound, but the bleeding wouldn’t stop.
As daylight crept in, Julian’s body weakened. By 6 a.m., he was fading fast.
Father’s final words confirmed.
Surrounded by his family — the very people he saved — Julian locked eyes with Christinia.
“He looked at me, the kids, and his mother,” she said quietly, tears in her voice.
“‘I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all.’”
With those words, Julian Ryan, 34, took his last breath — a father, partner, and protector to the very end.
“That will never go unnoticed,” said his sister Connie Salas.
Christinia, still reeling, said, “He gave his life for us. He didn’t hesitate.”
“He’s the kindest person I’ve ever met,” said longtime friend Kris Roberts. “I’ll forever love him.”
Julian’s life remembered.
Before the storm, Julian was a construction worker, a pancake-flipping dad, and the guy who always showed up.
He met Christinia at a party in 2016. “He made me feel safe,” she said. “He was my home.”
His family says he was known for his dry jokes, warm hugs, and never-ending work ethic.
In the wake of Julian’s death, the family has launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs and long-term support.
Donations are pouring in, with strangers moved by his sacrifice.
“Julian gave his life for his family, passing as a true hero,” the family wrote online.
“His laugh was contagious. His kindness? Endless.”
“While we are eternally grateful for his sacrifice, we are shattered by our loss.”
“His sudden departure has left an unfillable void in all our lives.”
Dad’s final act of love lives on.
In the end, Julian didn’t just die in the flood — he died saving everything that mattered to him.