Dad Who Died Saving Family from Texas Flood Made ‘Ultimate Sacrifice' (Exclusive)

Dad Who Died Saving Family from Texas Flooding Made the 'Ultimate Sacrifice,' Mother-in-Law Says (Exclusive)

"He loved [my daughter] and their babies with all of him," Pamela Baker tells PEOPLE

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Published on July 7, 2025 01:13PM EDT

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Julian Ryan was with his wife, their children and his mom when the flooding began
Ryan punched a window in their home to allow his family members to exit safely, but he injured himself in the process and later died
“Every mom wishes for their daughter to have a man who loves her like he did my daughter,” Pamela Baker tells PEOPLE in a statement

The mother-in-law of Julian Ryan, the 27-year-old father who was killed in the Texas floods as he was trying to save his family, is remembering him as a hero.

“When the time came, he made the ultimate sacrifice to save what was most important to him, his family,” Pamela Baker tells PEOPLE. “He was not just their hero, but mine. I could not have gotten to them even if I had known at the time. He is irreplaceable to me.”

Ryan was with his wife, 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 CBS affiliate KHOU.

His wife, Christinia 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," she said.

Realizing the imminent danger, Ryan 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," Wilson told KHOU.

Despite continued calls to 911, Wilson said police were unable to help — and before his death, Ryan shared an emotional last message to his family, saying, "I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all."

Wilson told the outlet that her husband's body wasn't recovered until hours later.

“Every mom wishes for their daughter to have a man who loves her like he did my daughter,” Baker says. “He was a great guy in so many ways. He brought out the best version of my daughter. He loved her and their babies with all of him. He was an upbeat, optimistic person. He was always there when we needed him.”

Wilson also paid tribute to her late husband. "He was a good man. He was strong and loving and always happy. He tried to save us, and we will forever be grateful and miss him," she told PEOPLE in a previous statement. "He’s still with us, and I see him every day in our son."

A GoFundMe was created to "help alleviate the unforeseen financial burdens" following Ryan’s death.

"He was known to have an infectious laugh and unwavering kindness," the fundraiser stated. "He touched countless lives with his humor and will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him."

As of Monday morning, July 7, the GoFundMe has raised over $90,000.

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Meanwhile, Central Texas continues to reel from the destructive and deadly floodwaters since Friday, July 4, spurred by nearly unprecedented rainfall that swelled the Guadalupe River — drowning portions of the state's Hill Country. As the search for the dozens who remain missing continues, the death toll has risen to at least 82, the Associated Press reported.

To learn how to help support the victims and recovery efforts from the Texas floods, click here.