Lives Lost in Texas Floods: Remembering Victims of an Unthinkable Tragedy
Kerr County, TX — As the floodwaters recede in central Texas, families and communities are left grappling with immense loss. The Fourth of July flash floods, which ravaged areas along the Guadalupe River, have claimed over 100 lives, with dozens still missing. Among the victims are parents, children, teachers, and camp counselors — each with a story, a family, a life left behind.
Julian Ryan, 27, of Ingram, died a hero. His fiancée said he severed an artery while breaking a window to save her, their children, and his mother. “Sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all,” he said before passing.
Joyce Catherine Badon, 21, a senior at Savannah College of Art and Design, was swept away while staying at a river home with friends. A promising architecture student from Beaumont, Joyce was last heard from during a frantic call as waters rose.
Mary Grace Baker, a second grader at St. Anne Catholic School in Beaumont, was among the victims at Camp Mystic. Known for her joy, faith, and love of pink bows, her school asked the community to tie pink ribbons in her honor.
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Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, 8-year-old twin sisters from Dallas, also died at Camp Mystic. Their family described them as joyful and inseparable. “We are devastated that the bond they shared is now frozen in time,” said their parents.
Chloe Childress, 19, had returned to Camp Mystic as a counselor. Her family said she lived with “contagious joy and abiding faith.” A recent graduate of The Kinkaid School in Houston, Chloe was remembered for her compassion and wisdom beyond her years.
Dick Eastland, Camp Mystic’s longtime director, died saving others. Known for putting campers first, he was remembered as a father figure whose final act was one of sacrifice.
Janie Hunt, 9, a relative of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, was also lost in the flood. Her family called it “an unimaginable loss.” Chiefs leadership offered quiet support as they grieve privately.
Blair and Brooke Harber, students at St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas, died after their cabin was swept away. Their parents survived, but the family’s grief is deep. The church held a prayer service to honor their memory.
Tanya Burwick, 62, vanished while driving to work in San Angelo. Her SUV was found submerged, and her body was recovered blocks away. Her family remembers her laughter and vibrant spirit.
Jane Ragsdale, 68, director of Heart O’the Hills Camp, spent decades nurturing generations of campers. She was described as “the heart of The Heart,” known for her strength and warmth.
Sarah Marsh, 8, from Alabama, was also lost at Camp Mystic. Her school and hometown grieved the loss of a “spunky ray of light” taken too soon.
Reece and Paula Zunker, educators from Kerrville, died in the flood. Their young children, Lyle and Holland, remain missing. Tivy High School remembered the couple’s lasting impact on the community.
As Texas mourns, families continue searching. And while the rain has stopped, the heartbreak lingers — each name a life remembered, each loss a wound carried by those left behind.