Update:
5:08 p.m. July 17, 2025: New victims have been added.
Remembering the victims of the Kerr County floods
More than 130 people have been found dead across several counties — some of them from North Texas — and the toll from the Texas floods is still rising.
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Shortly before dawn July 4, the Guadalupe River rose more than 20 feet in 45 minutes, uprooting trees, mangling roads and tearing apart the lives of dozens of families.
More than 135 people have been found dead across several counties — some of them from North Texas — and the toll from the floods is still rising. In Kerr County alone, officials said there have been at least 116 confirmed deaths. Among them were nearly 30 young girls and their counselors at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp cherished by Texas’ Hill Country.
Two sisters were found holding hands and with their rosaries. Two beloved camp directors died trying to save others. Multiple families were fractured; divided into the missing, the survivors and the dead.
Here’s what we’ve learned about the lives lost.
Joyce Catherine Badon
Joyce Catherine Badon, 21, was a senior at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, according to The Associated Press.
Badon was studying architecture — and she wanted to make a difference. She had just finished a project redesigning donation centers for Goodwill, the school said.
“A beloved daughter, friend, and classmate, Joyce was passionate about using her artistry and talent to impact the world,” the school said in an email.
Badon, known to friends and family as JC, was from Beaumont.
She traveled with her group of friends — Claire Reese Manchaca, Aidan Heartfield and Ella Cahill — to the Guadalupe River for July 4 celebrations. Badon was the last voice heard on the phone by Heartfield’s dad, who owns the house where they were staying over the weekend, as the floodwaters were rising.
As her family desperately searched for their daughter, her dad, Ty Badon, found the body of another young boy alongside the riverbank, according to CNN.
Her mother, Kellye Badon, posted a picture of a rainbow in memory of Badon on Monday morning.
“Joyce Catherine telling us from heaven ‘all is well with my soul,’” she wrote.
Mary Grace Baker
Mary Grace had just finished second grade at St. Anne Catholic School in Beaumont. The 8-year-old loved art, dance and playing at West End Little League, the school wrote in an Instagram post.
“She was a girls’ girl who loved pink, sparkles and bows in her signature angelic ringlet curls,” the post said.
A photo of Mary Grace posted on social media showed her in a First Communion dress. St. Anne said in its post that she recently celebrated the holy sacrament.
One of her teachers, Kassidy Litchfield, remembered her as “Godly and a ray of sunshine” in a Facebook post.
“We have felt all of your prayers and support the past couple of days,” her mother Katie wrote on her Instagram story. “Please continue to lift us up as we do not see how we can possibly carry on without her.”
Anna Margaret Bellows
Anna Margaret Bellows was a “sunburst of joy,” her family wrote in her obituary.
The athletic 8-year-old played field hockey, soccer and basketball. She was described as smart, tenacious and bold. A gift, they called her. Easy to love.
“We will miss hugs that were a bit too tight, laughter that was a bit too loud, and ‘five more minutes’ at bedtime,” her obituary said. “But we celebrate what we were given, not mourn what we don’t get to see.”
Lila Bonner
Lila Bonner dreamed of opening an animal rescue when she grew up.
The 9-year-old had just finished the second grade. She and her best friend, Eloise Peck, who was also lost to the flooding, shared a love of animals.
“Lila was a natural born leader who loved all creatures, big and small,” her family wrote in a GoFundMe page. “We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support for our beautiful and precious girl and look forward to honoring her love for animals by creating a foundation, Lila’s Light, to help animals affected by natural disasters - just as she would have wanted.”
The foundation in Lila’s honor is currently being funded through her family’s GoFundMe page, where they stated that no funds will be used for personal expenses.
Family friends at jewelry brand Milliard Diamon Concierge are also honoring Lila’s memory with a necklace made of 14K gold, featuring a purple amethyst cross pendant, as purple was Lila’s favorite color. All proceeds from the purchase of the necklace will be donated to Lila’s Light.
Joni and Robert Brake
Joni and Robert Brake leave a legacy of kindness, according to a statement from the family.
“My dad preached kindness. And what we’ve experienced these past days is exactly what he stood for. Strangers became friends. Entire communities stood beside us,” their son, Robert Brake Jr., said in a statement.
Robert, 67, was an Air Force veteran, and Joni, 66, was a registered nurse on the Air Force Base in Abilene, where the couple lived.
“If you want to honor my parents, please do this: Smile at someone today. Call a loved one. Walk up to a stranger and simply say hello,” Brake Jr. said. “Kindness costs nothing — but its impact is immeasurable.”
The Brakes leave behind three children, five grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Beth and Hutch Bryan
Beth and Hutch Bryan had deep ties to summer camps in the Hill Country.
Beth had attended Camp Mystic as a child. Her family members often got married in the area, at Camp Steward or Camp Honey Creek, according to a Facebook post from Beth’s family member. And their beloved family home was between Camp La Junta and Heart O’ the Hills, where the couple was staying over the July 4 weekend.
Beth, 61, and Hutch, 62, had just celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary in June, according to their obituaries. The couple met in college while celebrating Buccaneer Days, Corpus Christi’s annual festival, and continued dating while studying abroad in Spain. Both attended SMU. They married in Houston a year after graduating college.
The family lived in Houston, New York City and Larchmont, N.Y., before settling in San Antonio in 2009. Guided by their strong faith in God, they were active members of Christ Episcopal Church in San Antonio.
Beth, whose full name was Elizabeth Blackbird Bryan, worked as an interior designer for over two decades.
“She will be remembered always for her infectious laugh and sense of humor, her graciousness, her quiet courage, and the way she made those around her feel seen, loved, and cared for,” Beth’s obituary said.
Hutch, born James Hutchinson Bryan Jr., made a career in banking and financial services, but he especially loved spending time with his family playing tennis, watching baseball games or attending a Rolling Stones concert.
“He was known for his unwavering kindness, generosity of spirit, and steadfast love for those around him,” Hutch’s obituary said.
John and Julia Burgess
John and Julia Burgess were at an RV park in Kerr County with their two sons, hoping to pick up their eldest daughter from a summer camp not too far away.
John Burgess was reportedly last seen by Lorena Guillen, owner of the Blue Oak RV Park, clutching onto a tree and holding his two sons, according to a report from the New York Post.
John Burgess was related to Fort Worth-based country singer Pat Green, who shared on social media that his family “suffered a heartbreaking and deeply personal loss” in the catastrophic flooding.
Julia Burgess, a beloved teacher at Liberty Elementary School near Houston, was fighting breast cancer and had undergone two rounds of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and an intense surgery, according to a June GoFundMe post created by John Burgess. She had been receiving radiation therapy for about four weeks before her death.
Their two sons, James, 1, and Jack, 5, are still unaccounted for, and their daughter was safely evacuated from her summer camp and is in the care of Julia’s parents, according to a Facebook post from a family member.
Tanya Burwick
Tanya Burwick, 62, was an employee at a Walmart in San Angelo, a Fox News station in West Texas reported.
“We are deeply saddened to share that our sweet Mrs. Tanya is no longer with us,” the store said in a statement sent to the station. “Tanya has been a part of our store family since we first opened our doors in 2015. Her dedication, warmth, and spirit touched so many of us over the years.”
Ella Cahill
Ella Cahill, 21, was planning to move in with her high school sweetheart — just as soon as she graduated from University of Texas in San Antonio.
Cahill had been dating Aidan Heartfield, 22, since sophomore year of high school, according to The New York Times. Photos of their prom — Cahill wearing a floor-length, pink and purple gown and Heartfield in a navy blue suit — circulated over the weekend. The couple had spent part of Cahill’s sister’s May wedding in Italy talking about what their own ceremony might look like, her sister told the newspaper.
She traveled with her boyfriend and friends Claire Reese Manchaca and Joyce Catherine Badon to the Guadalupe River for July 4 celebrations.
Cahill was studying business management and worked as a student coordinator for campus recreation, according to her LinkedIn profile. Originally from Beaumont, she was a graduate of Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School, where she studied with Heartfield and Badon.
“It’s not fair. She needed more time. We all needed more time with her,” her sister Mackenzie Hodulik wrote on Facebook.
Her memory lives on with her extended family. Cahill’s cursive signature is preserved, next to her sister’s, in a tattoo on her aunt’s right shoulder.
Mike and Pam Smith, Brian and Blake Carpenter
Brian Carpenter was spending the Fourth of July weekend with his family when the flood waters came.
The family, including Carpenter’s wife, son, daughter and in-laws, were staying at Casa Bonita in Hunt. They couldn’t escape, Robert Broadnax, a friend of Carpenter’s wrote on a GoFundMe page. The two were friends for more than 12 years, according to Broadnax.
Carpenter, his 3-year-old daughter Blake, and his in-laws Pam and Mike Smith died in the flood.
His wife, 5-year-old son and sister-in-law Mallory Carpenter all survived, according to a GoFundMe posted by a family member.
“Anyone who knew Brian knows he was one of the most thoughtful, kind, and genuine people you could ever know,” Broadnax said.
Chloe Childress
Chloe Childress made everyone feel seen.
The 18-year-old Houstonian led with empathy and compassion, and her presence filled those around her with “contagious joy, unending grace and abiding faith,” according to a statement from her family.
As a camper, Chloe loved Camp Mystic dearly. As a counselor, she planned to dedicate her summer vacation to loving and mentoring her Mystic sisters.
Chloe had just graduated from The Kinkaid School, a preparatory high school, where she competed on the varsity cross country team and was president of the honor council, according to the Houston Chronicle. She was set to attend the University of Texas at Austin in the fall, according to reports and her social media.
Her joy is now eternal, her family said.
Michelle and Cody Crossland
Cody and Michelle “Shellie” Crossland had been married for more than 15 years.
Cody Crossland was a rock ‘n’ roll bassist and a member of the same local Midland rock band, Side Piece, as Joel Ramos, who was also found dead in the flood’s aftermath.
Michelle Crossland had recently celebrated her 50th birthday with a “big bash,” her daughter told The Times, and is remembered as a “wild lady.”
“To have her as a mother was a treasure I will forever cherish,” Hailey Chavarria wrote on Facebook.
The couple was on a family camping trip near the Guadalupe River when the floodwaters rose. Only one of the six family members has been found alive. The Times reported a Crossland family truck was found empty, mangled and overturned against a tree.
A Midland tattoo parlor is honoring the Crossland and Ramos families with a design in their honor that will raise money for the surviving members.
On social media, family and friends shared pictures and videos of the couple “rocking out.”
“These rockstars will never be forgotten,” one wrote.
Molly DeWitt
When she wasn’t in class at Wilchester Elementary School, Molly DeWitt, 9, loved reading books, drawing and playing soccer.
Like her mom, she was drawn to art and design. An art teacher posted one of her creations — rockets inspired by Joan Miro — on Facebook.
“Fireworks. It’s beautiful,” Molly’s artist statement read, according to the Facebook post. “Watch for them.”
The Houston resident was spunky, compassionate and curious, according to her obituary.
Molly “had a heart as expansive as her imagination,” her obituary states. “From a young age, she was drawn to those on the margins — refugees, kids who felt different, people without homes. Her instinct was always to notice, to care, and to extend kindness.”
She will be remembered by how she made people feel seen, the obituary said.
“Though her time here was heartbreakingly short, Molly’s legacy of empathy, wonder, and unfiltered joy will live on in every act of kindness done in her name.”
Lucy Dillon
Lucy Dillon, 8, was a rising third grader and a “bright and enthusiastic” student at Memorial Drive Elementary School in Houston, according to her obituary.
Her family wrote that she had “an insatiable curiosity and a love of learning,” especially when it came to fun facts and sports statistics. Lucy also loved reading and collected crystals, gems, bobblehead athletes, fidget toys and anything involving corgis.
A natural athlete, Lucy could ride a bike by the age of 3 and was playing basketball by 4, according to her obituary. She was a devoted Houston Rockets fan, and dreamed of playing college ball one day. Some of her happiest moments, her obituary said, were spent shooting hoops in the driveway with her family.
“With her fierce competitiveness, radiant energy, and astonishing memory, Lucy tackled every challenge, whether academic or athletic, with heart and spirit,” her family wrote. “She was a force of nature, full of kindness, strength, and spark. She was ready for any challenge.”
A legacy fund has been set up in her name to support philanthropic efforts and ensure “that her legacy continues to shine brightly for years to come.”
Ron Duke
Ron Duke, 80, was a “fierce and passionate advocate” of the Guadalupe River, wrote his friend Kathy Freeman on Facebook. He had for months documented environmental violations and organized water protection efforts for the river, the Kerr County Lead reported.
The Hill Country Alliance, a nonprofit working to preserve nature in the Texas Hill Country, called Duke a “beloved local champion.”
Duke loved to kayak and had a kayak shop. Environmental activist was a title he wore proudly, Freeman wrote, and she will miss their weekly marathon phone calls.
Josephine and Richard Dunlap
Josephine and Richard Dunlap from Andrews, Texas, leave behind their two children, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild, according to the couple’s obituary.
Born in Freisen, Germany, Josephine is remembered for her care for others. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Andrews, where she served her community, often through song. Josephine, 68, regularly performed at nursing homes for the residents and would go caroling every Christmas, her obituary states.
She last worked in the cafeteria at Andrews High School, but previously worked as a cashier and would walk about 10 miles to get to work.
Richard, 73, was born in Longview. He previously served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army and worked as a truck driver for two decades, according to his obituary. His favorite activities included fishing and camping. Like his wife, Richard was a member of the Church of Christ, and he is remembered as a family-oriented, soft-spoken and hardworking father.
Katheryn Eads
The University of Texas at San Antonio confirmed the death of Katheryn Eads, a psychology senior lecturer at the college.
Eads, 52, joined UTSA in 2022 and became a full-time faculty member in the psychology department this year.
“Dr. Eads was an extraordinary educator whose devotion to her students and to the craft of teaching embodied the very best of our academic community,” Heather Shipley, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, wrote in a statement.
“Through her insight, expertise and unwavering commitment to student success, she inspired generations of learners and colleagues alike.”
Dick Eastland
Dick Eastland, 70, was a father to hundreds of girls who entered the green gates of Camp Mystic each summer.
He was the camp’s owner, the home plate umpire during softball, the master fisherman, model husband and big-time Longhorns fan.
Mystic has been in Eastland’s family since 1939. “Dicky” and his wife, Tweety, took over the camp in the late 1980s. The couple’s love for each other and God is at the soul of Mystic, former campers said.
Eastland was steadfast in his faith. Each morning, over coffee, he and Tweety would read scripture and pray, former camper, counselor and friend Claudia Sullivan told The Dallas Morning News. Their marriage was idyllic: They wholly trusted each other and knew how to compromise, Sullivan said.
He raised his family — including four sons and 11 grandchildren — on Mystic’s grounds, ate in the dining hall during the summer terms and sang along to campfire songs.
Eastland’s last act was one of selflessness and love: He reportedly died while trying to shepherd campers to safety.
Camp Mystic will be Eastland’s legacy.
Steve Edwards
Steve Edwards, 72, is remembered as a devoted and cherished husband, father and brother with a gift for storytelling and a kind spirit, according to his obituary. He was on an RV trip when the floods came.
Edwards was a deeply devout man who attended Holy Angels Catholic Church and loved the simple pleasures of life, often traveling in his RV and spending time on the ranch, his obituary said.
He loved spending time with his twin daughters and wife of 52 years, Marilyn Kay Pinson, “the love of his life.” The San Angelo native also enjoyed listening to Wall High School football broadcasts, watching tennis matches and lively discussions.
Bruce and Penny Ferguson
Bruce and Penny Ferguson never met a stranger.
The couple traveled full-time across the country, according to a post on GoFundMe, and were in their RV near the Guadalupe River when the flood came.
Remembered as fun-loving, easygoing and selfless, the couple “made family” wherever they traveled, the post states, touching countless lives.
In a post on Facebook, granddaughter Autumn Orenday said she was thankful for prayers for her “Grampy” and “Nana Penny.”
Katherine Feruzzo
Katherine Feruzzo, 19, was one of two counselors in the Bubble Inn cabin at Camp Mystic.
Her family shared in her obituary that after being Mystic camper from 2015 to 2024, Feruzzo was the first person to submit an application to become a counselor in 2025.
“She was eager to give back to the place that gave her so much,” her obituary said. “We have no doubt that, alongside friend and co-counselor Chloe Childress, Katherine gave those sweet girls the best camp experience imaginable during their time together.”
Feruzzo was a recent graduate of Houston’s Memorial High School and was excited to attend the University of Texas at Austin this fall. She dreamed of becoming a special education teacher.
In June, Feruzzo and her best friends traveled to Europe, where she went skydiving in Switzerland and proudly threw up her “horns” on the descent, her obituary said. She repeatedly thanked her dad for “the trip of a lifetime.”
“Katherine was an absolute force to be reckoned with — a firecracker who was filled with energy and spunk," her obituary said. “She was ready to celebrate every occasion and do ‘all the things.’”
Jayda Floyd
Jayda Floyd was studying to become a psychologist and working as an officer at Ector County Juvenile Detention Center, where she was “immensely loved” by the staff, according to a statement from the county judge.
Floyd graduated last year from University of Texas Permian Basin with a degree in psychology, according to a post by the school, and had returned to pursue a master’s degree in the school’s clinical psychology program.
The county sheriff’s office plans to bring her home in an honorable procession, the judge announced.
Holly Frizzell
Holly Frizzell, 72, grew up in Abilene and lived there with her family for much of her adult life. She married her high school sweetheart, Lane Patrick Frizzell, in 1975, according to her obituary. They shared a love of music and were known to sing duets at events around town.
She ran a boutique in town for several years and introduced several designer labels, like Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, to West Texas. When her two children were young, she decided to close the shop and focus on spending time with Matt and Jenny. Frizzell cheered them on at horseback riding competitions and tennis tournaments, never missing a chance to cheer them on.
Holly cared for her husband when he was diagnosed with dementia and became an advocate for others navigating similar situations. She also became a devoted grandmother, embracing her role as “Lolly” to her four grandchildren. For the past several years, she called Hunt home and fell in love with the Guadalupe River.
Ellen Getten
Ellen Getten, of Houston, was one of the girls in the Bubble Inn cabin at Camp Mystic. It was her first year at the camp.
Ellen’s obituary said she was beautiful inside and out. The 9-year-old had “precious freckles” that she proudly collected over the years and wore glasses that distinguished her from other girls. She also ate her meals with gusto, her obituary said, which was evident on her clothes most days. She especially loved pasta with red sauce and gelato, which she discovered in Italy on a trip with her grandparents.
“She gave every person a hug and would not let anyone leave her presence without a huge one,” her obituary said. “Though her nine years on earth was brief, she will always be remembered for her love of others and her sweet smile. Ellen would want everyone to give more hugs.”
Sally Sample Graves
Sally Sample Graves, 91, leaves behind two children, 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. The beloved matriarch of a large family, she was born in the 1930s in Longview and married Ghent Graves Jr. in 1953, her obituary states.
Sally Graves is remembered as a “woman of sterling character,” a consummate host and a devoted member of the Kerrville Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, according to her obituary. She was well-educated and witty, studying at Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas at Austin.
“She spent her life performing innumerable, quiet acts of service,” her obituary states.
Her family posted on social media that a powerful, 30-foot wave destroyed Graves’ home.
Graves’ daughter told The Times that her brother, Clark Graves, who lived in the family’s home as a caretaker, kicked out a window and pulled his mother through as the floodwaters rose. While Clark Graves survived, his mother died in his arms after about four hours clinging to a tree, The Times reported.
Hadley Hanna
Hadley Hanna was a Cowgirl.
On her team at Mustang Cheer in northeast Dallas, she kicked, tumbled and flipped. The cheerleading club shared videos Tuesday on social media of the 8-year-old goofily playing in the gym.
In tributes, she was described as radiant and spirited — a young girl who had a lasting impression, reads a GoFundMe in Hadley’s honor. More than $126,000 had been raised as of Tuesday afternoon.
“Even in the middle of all this heartbreak, we cling to the fact that Hadley is now with Jesus — safe, whole, and surrounded by perfect peace,” Mustang Cheer posted on Instagram.
Grieving their unimaginable loss, her parents asked for privacy in a public statement.
Brooke and Blair Harber
Blair, 13 and Brooke, 11, were staying with her grandparents, Charlene and Mike, when the flood waters struck their cabin in Casa Bonita. Their bodies were found on Saturday morning, hand in hand with their rosaries. Brooke’s father and grandparents received a text from Brooke at 3:30 a.m. with a simple “I love you.”
The girls were committed to their faith, religion being one of their favorite courses at the St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas.
Blair was slated to begin eighth grade this fall and was a stellar student. She was active in several extracurricular activities like volleyball, basketball, lacrosse and was a part of the St. Rita cheerleading team. She was a member of the yearbook committee and was active in the speech and drama program. St. Rita said that Blair was known for having a kind heart and loved serving others.
Brooke was known by her classmates as joyous and energetic, having a gift for improv that would bring laughter to her class. She was also involved in many sports teams, following the steps of her older sister, playing soccer, basketball, volleyball and lacrosse. She was known for bringing spirit and determination to the team, welcoming everyone with open arms.
Aidan Heartfield
Aidan Heartfield, 22, was described by his family as warm and thoughtful, according to The Times.
His body was the last to be recovered of a group of friends staying at Heartfield’s family’s house along the Guadalupe River. Among the group was his longtime girlfriend, Ella Cahill.
Heartfield had been dating Cahill, 21, since sophomore year of high school, according to The Times. Photos of their prom — Cahill wearing a floor-length, pink and purple gown and Heartfield in a navy blue suit — circulated over the weekend. The couple had spent part of Cahill’s sister’s May wedding in Italy talking about what their own ceremony might look like, her sister told the newspaper.
“The two shared a bond that touched many,” Haley Morrow, a public information officer at the Beaumont Police Department, wrote on Facebook.
While awaiting news of his son, Thad Heartfield, Aidan’s father, led a volunteer search effort for flood victims in Kerrville, according to reporting by NPR. An attorney in Beaumont, Thad organized a team that helped recover at least nine victims, as of last Tuesday, returning their bodies to loved ones.
Heartfield was welcomed home to Beaumont on Sunday, just a few days after his girlfriend, according to the Beaumont Enterprise. Community members gathered along city roadways with signs saying “We love you Aidan,” as police escorted Heartfield and his family.
Heartfield was a graduate of Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School, where he studied with Cahill and Joyce Catherine Badon, who also died in the flooding. He was about to begin his senior year at Trinity University, where he studied marketing, and was excited about an internship he had landed for his final year of school.
Trinity University President Vanessa Beasley said Heartfield was a cherished member of the campus community in a statement on LinkedIn.
“He was bright, kind, and full of promise,” the statement said. “As we move through this time of loss, the Trinity community will uphold and honor Aidan’s memory. We will also continue to take inspiration from the deep care and love he showed his friends and family.”
Linda Bason and Deana Hillock
Linda Bason, 78, and her daughter Deana Hillock, 57, checked into a cabin along the Guadalupe River for a girls weekend, according to a post by a family member, for what should have been a fun mother-daughter trip.
Bob Bason, Linda’s husband, told the San Antonio Express-News the pair were best friends, the “two most important people” in his life.
He posted a diagram of the river on social media, “Why no warning?” written and underlined underneath the map.
Virginia Hollis
Virginia Hollis, 8, was “a true Mystic girl” who loved rodeo, fishing, gardening, playing piano, painting and the Astros, according to a post on GoFundMe by a Hollis family friend.
Virginia attended Faith Academy of Bellville. Her favorite color was pink and her favorite activity at camp was golf, wrote Shara Ticku on the fundraiser.
Virginia was named after her mother and grandmother and came from “a line of strong Texas women,” Ticku wrote in the post. She was “a pure, joyful soul,” a born caretaker to her little sister and had an infectious smile.
A procession led by several agencies — including the Austin County Sheriff’s Office and Bellville Police Department — brought Virginia home to Bellville, a journey of about 150 miles.
All along the route, first responders, strangers and friends parked their cars, gathering by the side of the highway or on bridges to honor Virginia, many wearing green bows. Her grandfather led her horse, “Salt Valley,” behind her hearse in Bellville.
Janie Hunt
Janie Hunt, 9, was the great-granddaughter of the late American oil baron William Herbert Hunt and a cousin of Clark Hunt, the owner of the Kansas City Chiefs. Her grandmother, Margaret Hunt, told The New York Times she went to Camp Mystic with six of her cousins, who were all safe.
In a post on Instagram, Clark Hunt’s wife, Tavia Hunt, shared words of faith and grief.
“Our hearts are broken with the devastation from the floods... and the tragic loss of so many lives — including a precious little Hunt cousin, along with several friends’ little girls,” Tavia Hunt said.
Bill Huston
Bill Huston was a U.S. Navy veteran remembered by his family for his ingenuity and mild-mannered nature, loved ones told The Houston Chronicle.
Originally from North Carolina, Huston found his way to Kerrville to complete a hospital construction project. He was rarely without his beloved dog Sage, whose body was also recovered from the flood. The 61-year-old was also highly regarded for his engineering abilities.
During his time in the Navy, Huston served on the USS Abraham Lincoln, The Chronicle reported, operating aircraft carriers and submarines. His friend Melissa Offringa, whose wedding he officiated, shared a tribute on Facebook.
“Bill has touched so many lives, and he was such a humble, funny, and personable guy,” she wrote. “He lived a life that was genuine and true to himself.”
Mary Kathryn Jacobe
Mary Kathryn Jacobe, known to family as Mary Kate, was an “angel on earth,” her family wrote in a statement Wednesday.
The 8-year-old from Houston was the baby of the large Jacobe family.
“Mary Kate Jacobe was the light of our lives. She was tiny but mighty, full of love and joy with a smile that melted your heart,” the statement said.
Madelyn “Emmy” Jeffrey
Madelyn “Emmy” Jeffrey, 11, took the spot as the family’s only grandchild for more than six years, according to a Facebook post by her aunt, and was “the best big cousin that all the littles wanted to be just like.”
She was staying in Casa Bonita with her grandparents, Penny and Emlyn Jeffrey, who also died in the flood.
In a tribute posted on GoFundMe, Emmy’s mom called her a “firecracker.”
“If you knew her, you loved her,” she wrote. “Hold your babies tight. Do all the things. My girl was living her best life when she was called home.”
Penny and Emlyn Jeffrey
Penny and Emlyn Jeffrey were known for being effective and empathetic Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA volunteers.
Emlyn Jeffrey began volunteering at the San Antonio chapter of CASA in 2004, and Penny Jeffrey joined a few years later, a Facebook post by Yolanda Valenzuela, a CASA contractor, said. The two would often take on multiple cases at a time, being regularly requested by attorneys to help support a child in need.
CASA would rely on the two to handle any media cases, knowing that their support would be more than enough to help children navigate traumatic events.
“They will be missed by this entire community and the children who continued to contact them many years after they served them. Please pray,” Valenzuela wrote.
The two were visiting their cabin in Casa Bonita with their granddaughter, Madelyn “Emmy” Jeffrey, when they were killed by the floods of the Guadalupe River.
Their daughter, who still affectionately called them “mommy and daddy,” said they were identified Saturday morning in a Facebook post.
Rob and Melissa Kamin
Melissa Kamin, 45, was a vibrant light in the lives of everyone who knew her and had a quick wit that made people laugh — even in hard times, Haley Cassidy, a longtime friend, wrote in a GoFundMe.
She was also the mother of two children, a daughter, sister and friend whose presence brought warmth and strength to everyone around her, according to the fundraiser.
“In the wake of this tragedy, her children are left not only with the pain of losing their mother, but also with the uncertainty of what comes next,” Cassidy said. “As a community, we want to rally around them and show them the love and care that Melissa showed to us throughout her life.”
Her husband, 50-year-old Rob Kamin, also died in the flood.
Friends told Houston Public Media that Melissa had been a member of the CrossFit Quest in Humble for more than seven years. Rob had also joined and trained for about six months, while continuing to support his wife at competitions and social events.
Rob also loved to grill: “That’s the memory that I want to have of them, of their hospitality, of inclusiveness to everybody,” Jesus Chavez Jr., a CrossFit classmate, told the outlet.
DeeAnn and Gary Knetsch
DeeAnn and Gary Knetsch were two of five family members lost in the floods, along with Megan, Jake, and Harley Moeller.
DeeAnn “always wanted to cook you something,” wrote her daughter Leslie Dee Landacre on Facebook, especially her brownies and mini cheesecakes. She never turned down a phone call, had the voice of an angel and “always put everyone else before herself,” Landrance wrote.
Gary’s niece, Jenny Reed, shared a photo on social media of her uncle dancing at her wedding.
“I was always one of the shy ones in the family, but whenever there was music, he was always the first one to lead me to the dance floor for a two-step,” Reed wrote.
Lainey Landry
Lainey Landry, 9, was a camper staying in Bubble Inn at Camp Mystic.
Lainey’s grandmother, Brenda Landry, is a parishioner of St. George Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, La. Lainey just made her first communion in May, according to a Facebook post from the church.
“Please offer a Rosary for the families seeking comfort, strength, and healing as they grieve the loss of their children,” the church said.
Lainey’s family member told A Voice For the Voiceless, a nonprofit organization, that the discovery of her body was “somewhat of a miracle itself,” according to a Facebook post from the organization.
The Houston resident is survived by her mother, Natalie, her father, Ben, and her grandmother.
Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence
Twin 8-year-olds Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence shared a bond only twins could understand — hours of make-believe games, staying up all night reading to each other. They had just finished second grade at University Park Elementary. They had their own aspirations, their father John Lawrence said, but they both wanted to be just like their big sister Harper.
Hanna dreamed of being a chef and hoped to open a restaurant where she could feed people in need for free. Her family described her as imaginative and a boundless source of energy, saying she had a talent for pushing boundaries but doing it in a way that made you smile.
Rebecca hoped to be a teacher. Her family described her as independent, with a clear sense of style. They added she was kind and sweet, but had “a killer eye-roll.” She loved to snuggle and had a soft spot for animals, whether fur or plush.
“Hanna and Rebecca brought so much joy to us, to their big sister Harper, and to so many others,” their parents, John and Lacy Lawrence, said in a statement. “We will find ways to keep that joy, and to continue to spread it for them. But we are devastated that the bond we shared with them, and that they shared with each other, is now frozen in time.”
Kellyanne Lytal
Kellyanne Lytal, 8, was fearless. She had just performed the lead solo in her school’s Christmas pageant, according to a post on X from her father.
She was “a shining light in this world,” the family wrote in a statement — “silly, compassionate and a loving friend to everyone.”
“Even though she was taken from us way too early, we thank God for the eight magical years we got to share with her,” the statement said.
Kellyanne’s father is an offensive coordinator for Trinity University. University President Vanessa Beasley said the entire campus community was grieving with the Lytal family.
“We know this loss will be felt across our campus and beyond,” she wrote in a statement on Facebook.
Claire Reese Manchaca
Claire Reese Manchaca, 21, was entering her senior year studying architecture at the University of Texas in San Antonio.
She graduated from Caney Creek High School outside of Houston in 2022, according to the school’s student newspaper, before enrolling in college.
She traveled with her college friends — Joyce Badon, Aidan Heartfield and Ella Cahill — to the Guadalupe River for July 4 celebrations. The group’s Instagram comments filled with messages from strangers and friends over the weekend.
Manchaca’s mother, Miro Stafford, is a longtime employee of Conroe ISD, where Caney Creek High School is located.
“Reese is now with God,” her cousin Kami Evermore wrote on Facebook.
Sarah Marsh
Eight-year-old Sarah Marsh was from Birmingham, Ala.
“This is an unimaginable loss for her family, her school, and our entire community,” Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch said in a Facebook post. “Sarah’s passing is a sorrow shared by all of us, and our hearts are with those who knew and loved her.”
Welch said the community of about 20,000 people would rally behind the Marsh family as they grieved.
Bailey Martin
Odessa police Officer Bailey Martin, 23, was among those killed in the flood. His body was recovered along with a Bible that had his name etched into it.
An Odessa native, Martin joined the police force just two years ago, a job he described as gratifying.
“It’s a long process, but it’s rewarding,” he said in an interview in May this year. “As long as you put in the effort, you can get through it.”
He loved movies, camping and kayaking and hoped to one day become a detective.
“I wanted to join because the world we live in is always changing and I wanted to do everything I can to be part of my community as it grows, allowing me to preserve the peace and safety,” he said.
The Odessa Police Department shared that his fellow officers will wear mourning bands over their badges in honor of Bailey. Honor Guard members and officers who knew Bailey will also stand watch over his casket until he is escorted home.
Bobby and Amanda Martin
Those who knew Bobby and Amanda Martin said it was a blessing to know them.
“When someone says ride or die, they’re talking about you Bobby Martin,” Ryan Elam wrote in a Facebook post.
“If you had the luxury of calling Bobby your friend you knew that no matter what time of the day it is or what crazy thing you needed you could 1,000,000,000% call him and he would be there for you.”
Amanda was described as loving, compassionate and caring. “She was the only person who could bring out the soft side of our crazy friend,” Elam continued.
“She was a great mother and an amazing human being. You two are leaving a huge painful hole in so many people’s hearts and we love you and will remember you forever.”
The couple is survived by three children, Ethan, Austin and Addison, two of whom were rescued from the flooding.
Linnie McCown
Linnie attended Casis Elementary in Austin.
The 8-year-old loved dance and gymnastics, her dad, Michael, told Fox News.
In a photo shared on social media, Linnie is wearing a white shirt that reads “Dance Force” and holding up a peace sign.
“It’s with the heaviest of hearts we must share that our sweet little Linnie is with the Lord in heaven,” her dad said, according to KXAN. “She filled our hearts with so much joy we cannot begin to explain.”
Linnie was described as “full of light, laughter and love” on a GoFundMe page for the family.
“She had the sweetest spirit — giggly, kind, and full of a joy that was contagious,” the page said. “She made people feel happy just by being near her, and her absence is felt deeply by everyone who knew her — and even many who didn’t.”
Blakely McCrory
Blakely McCrory brightened the day of everyone she met.
The 8-year-old was excited to follow in her family’s 100-year-old tradition of attending Camp Mystic, her grandfather Douglas McLeod told the Houston Chronicle. She ended up attending for just five days, McLeod said.
“We know that Blakely was light and life,” her mother, Lindsey McLeod McCrory, said in a statement. “Our little corner of the world is a better and brighter place because Blakely was here. Although we must mourn her absence, we will choose to celebrate her life.”
Blakely’s father died of a sudden heart attack just two months ago, McLeod told ABC News. A resident of the Houston suburb Bellaire, and granddaughter of the prominent McLeod family from Galveston, Blakely loved animals and painting. She was a student at Memorial Lutheran School in Houston.
“Whether offering crayons to a friend, caring for stray kittens, or surprising her parents with handmade cards, Blake was a daily reminder that kindness can change the world,” her obituary said.
Clayton Meadows
Clayton Meadows, 29, was his parents’ oldest son. He had a strong faith, wrote his aunt Melissa Fuchs on social media, and was “a good, kind young man.”
In photos shared of Meadows, he often wears a cowboy hat. He previously attended Sul Ross State University.
The family, now a family of five, also lost their home in the floodwaters, according to a GoFundMe post.
Megan and Jake Moeller
Megan Moeller and her husband, Jake, were among those killed in the flooding, according to a Facebook post from Avery’s Kitchen in New Braunfels, where Megan was a server.
“We are deeply grieving the loss of someone who brought warmth, kindness, and laughter into our lives and the lives of everyone she served,” the post said. “Our hearts are with her family, friends, and all who loved her and her family.”
Megan’s sister, Leslie Dee Landacre, shared that Jake’s truck was also found — with a Bible inside.
“This wasn’t just any Bible, it was filled with important notes and turned out to have belonged to his grandfather,” she wrote on Facebook. “It may not sound like much, but to us, it means the world.”
Wynne Naylor
Wynne Naylor, an 8-year-old from Dallas and one of the campers from Camp Mystic, was confirmed dead, the Kerrville Daily Times reported.
The report said her great aunt Cheryl Olson posted the news on Facebook.
Her family has since created a foundation in her honor: “More Like Wynne.” A description on the donation page says Wynne had a “great love” for the outdoors, God and her community.
Jose and Alicia Olvera
Jose Olvera was one of the “kindest souls,” according to those who knew him. Originally from Mexico, the 70-year-old served his community for more than four decades, earning him the title “Heart of Fairweather” from those closest to him.
“Jose touched countless lives through his deep care and unwavering dedication to Fairweather for over 45 years,” wrote Casey Boehm Killough in a post on GoFundMe.
“He wasn’t just a familiar face — he was the soul of the land he loved. To everyone who ever drove through that gate, Jose’s presence made Fairweather feel like home.”
His wife, Alicia, a beloved grandmother in her 60s, also from Mexico, had recently celebrated a birthday with family.
“We’re still here with you as always,” wrote Angelica Torres on social media. “I hope you’re in a better place without suffering.”
The family honored the beloved grandparents at a memorial in Kerrville.
Richard Pagard and Carol Andrews
Richard Pagard and his wife Carol Andrews were in a season of change, planning their next phase of life together in the Texas Hill Country.
Pagard, 71, was a “strong, resilient man” who worked hard to enjoy the life he wanted, according to a GoFundMe post. He enjoyed flying planes, riding horses and rebuilding homes, the post states.
Andrews, 65, was a devout Catholic, who never left the house without her rosary, according to her online obituary. She was raised on a farm in North Dakota and had three daughters.
Pagard and Andrews married on Valentine’s Day in 2023. They had traveled the world together, and were staying at an RV park near the Guadalupe River with their dog Poppy when the floods came.
“Carol and Rich left this world together as many only hope to do with their partner,” states Andrews’ obituary.
Clay Parisher
Twenty-month-old Clay Parisher died during the Texas Hill Country flood while vacationing with his family during the Fourth of July weekend, according to his uncle, Aaron Parsley, a senior editor at Texas Monthly who wrote about the family’s experience for the magazine.
Clay’s family remembered him for his frequent laughter and playfulness. He and his sister Rosemary played alongside each other at their grandparents’ river house on the Guadalupe River between Ingram and Hunt, where they would swim in the river and kayak, memories that the family says they were glad to make.
The young boy is survived by his parents, Lance Parisher and Alissa Parsley, grandparents, Clint Parsley and Alex Albright, older sister, Rosemary, and uncles, Aaron Parsley and Patrick Kelleher.
Eloise Peck
Eight-year-old Eloise Peck, affectionately nicknamed “Lulu,” loved spaghetti and animals.
Peck had just completed the second grade at Bradfield Elementary School, along with her best friend Lila Bonner. The two passed in the flooding at Camp Mystic.
Peck cultivated her love of animals into a dog walking business, where she donated 25% of her profits to animal rescue nonprofit Blueberry Hill Farm and Rescue, based in Mena, Ark.
The animal rescue is now honoring Eloise’s memory in a memorial fund and naming one of their newly constructed shelters “Lulu’s Puppy Hut.”
“Your generous donation will continue Lulu’s legacy by helping to provide care, love, and support to animals in need,” the post read. “Together, we will keep Lulu’s memory alive, nurturing hope and healing for animals.”
In a statement sent to KDFW-TV (Channel 4), Peck’s mother described Eloise as someone who was friends with everyone. She adored her little brother and was loved deeply by her parents.
Brad Perry
Brad Perry, 49, was a former volunteer firefighter in League City, southeast of Houston. His hobbies — motorcycles, scuba diving and camping — demonstrated his adventurous spirit, according to a GoFundMe page raising money for his family.
“Brad was deeply loyal, endlessly lovable, and utterly one-of-a-kind,” the post states. “His absence leaves an enormous void for everyone who knew and loved him.”
Perry had a great sense of humor and “kept people laughing,” his sister-in-law Kimberly Tees told The New York Times.
Perry was camping with his wife, Tina Perry, along the Guadalupe River over July 4 weekend. His wife survived the flooding by clinging to a tree for five hours, according to reporting from the Houston Chronicle.
Abby Pohl
Abby Pohl, 8, was many people’s best friend.
“Her quirky sense of humor and the mischievous twinkle in her eyes made her a magnet for others,” her parents said in a statement.
Abby loved to dance and play sports, according to a GoFundMe page raising money for the Pohl family. She enjoyed summers in the mountains with her family, and her best friends were her older sisters, Hannah and Reese.
From Austin, Abby was a student at Casis Elementary School, according to the Houston Chronicle.
She brought a jolt of energy to every room she walked into, her parents said.
“Abby had a magical life force that filled the room with light and laughter,” the statement said.
Jane Ragsdale
Jane Ragsdale, 68, was the longtime director of Heart O’ the Hills summer camp in Hunt, about two miles from Camp Mystic. She started as a camper and counselor, moving up to become co-owner of the camp and director by 1988. The camp was not in session at the time of the floods, but Ragsdale was on the property.
She was a 1979 graduate of Texas Woman’s University, where she studied journalism and Spanish. The university’s memorial post for her said she had “a Texas-sized passion for the outdoors.”
“Jane was a pillar among women & an example of what feminine, godly strength should look like when I needed that most in my life,” one woman wrote on Facebook.
Joel and Tasha Ramos
Joel and Tasha Ramos of Midland were reportedly on a family camping trip outside Ingram over the Fourth of July weekend. They were two of six family members, including their daughter Kyndall, swept away in the floodwaters.
Only one member of the family was found alive, clinging to a tree many miles downstream from the camping site.
Jacob Ramos remembered Tasha and Joel, his aunt and uncle, in a Facebook post, recalling cooking out in their backyard, watching boxing matches as a family and eating Joel’s famous mashed potatoes during the holidays.
Yvette Stone Ramirez, a family friend, posted a tribute on social media, remembering Tasha’s “excitement when she sees you and screams your name.”
Joel is remembered in online tributes as a loving father, a dear friend and a gifted musician as drummer to a local Midland rock band.
“While the water pulled them apart on that fateful night, I know Joel’s arms are securely wrapped around his baby girl now,” wrote Mona Hernandez, a cousin of Joel, in a Facebook post. “May Joel always be remembered for his courage, his sacrifice, and his beautiful smile.”
Kyndall Ramos
Kyndall Ramos loved Taylor Swift, Gilmore Girls, Harry Styles and cheeseburgers — mayo and pickles only — wrote Devyn Smith, Kyndall’s sister and the sole survivor of the family’s camping trip near the Guadalupe River.
“To know Kyndall was to love her,” Smith wrote in a social media post. “I know we will all carry her within us for the rest of our lives and I find comfort in knowing she’s being wrapped in our dad’s arms.”
The Legacy High School student from Midland was one of six family members swept away in the floodwaters.
Tanya Ramsey
Jeff and Tanya Ramsey, a couple from Lewisville, were among those who went missing in the flood.
The family confirmed to The News that Tanya’s body has been recovered. Jeff’s son, Jake Ramsey, said the family is still looking for him.
The couple was staying in an Airstream trailer along the river, his son said.
Their dog, Chloe, who was with the couple in the Airstream, was found and brought back to the family, his son said.
The Romero and Venzor family
Natalia Venzor was a “kind-hearted soul,” helping her parents with bills while providing for her baby boy Carlos Romero, her sister wrote in a post on GoFundMe.
The 24-year-old and her son resided in Kerrville with her husband, Leo Romero Sr. and her stepson, Leo Romero Jr. Natalia, Carlos and Leo Sr. died. Leo Jr. survived.
Carlos already had his own “sparky personality” and adored his grandparents, whom he would stay with while Natalia would work, according to the tribute on GoFundMe.
Cindy and James Rushing
Cindy and James Rushing were camping along the Guadalupe River when the flooding struck, according to their daughter, Tamra Blasius.
“Our hearts are broken, and our family is devastated by the loss of both of our parents,” Blasius wrote in a GoFundMe. “There are no words for this kind of pain, but we are clinging to one another and to the love and prayers so many of you have sent our way.”
Julian Ryan
Julian Ryan, 27, died saving his family.
Ryan washed dishes at a local restaurant, The New York Times reported. He had just finished a long shift when he returned to his trailer home in Ingram, where he lived with his mother, his fiancée Christina Wilson and two sons, ages 6 and 13 months.
He was finally asleep when surging floodwaters crashed through their home, according to CNN.
The bedroom door, sealed by the pressure of rising waters, wouldn’t budge. In his final moments, Ryan punched through a window to get his family out. The glass cut an artery in his arm, Wilson told CNN, and the injury cost him his life.
“He died a hero, and that will never go unnoticed,” Ryan’s sister, Connie Salas, told Houston station KHOU 11.
Ryan will be remembered as a standout player on the Ingram Tom Moore High School football team, a devoted father and gentle soul.
“He’s the kindest person I’ve ever met in my life, and I’ll love him forever no matter what,” his friend Kris Roberts told KHOU 11.
The Santana Family
Eddie Santana Jr. woke up in the hospital without his wife, daughter, mother and father following the devastating flooding in Kerr County, according to a fundraising post by a family friend. All four were lost in the floodwaters.
Eddie Santana Sr. and his wife Ileana of Mobile, Alabama, were reportedly visiting their son Eddie Santana Jr., his wife Camille Santana and their young daughter Mila in Texas.
“These radiant smiles will forever be etched in our memories,” wrote Jaimee Santana on Facebook.
The family, originally from Puerto Rico, shared photos of Mila with her grandparents, in her dance uniform and in the arms of her father.
“Titi Jaimee and Tio love you sweet girl. Your sass will forever be in our hearts until we meet again babe,” Jaimee wrote to Mila.
Ileana left a legacy of peace, love and strength, loved ones wrote on social media.
Eddie Santana Jr. is in the military, according to an online fundraiser supporting him. Camille worked for the Moody Air Force Base Sexual Assault Prevention Response program in Georgia and is remembered as a “dedicated victim advocate, friend and coworker,” according to a post by the organization.
Mollie Schaffer
Mollie Schaffer, 76, met her husband Randy in June of 1967, just a few weeks after they graduated from high school.
“We’ve been together ever since, separated only at the end by the raging waters of the Guadalupe River,” Randy said in a Facebook post.
The Houston couple was at Randy’s 46th annual reunion with friends from law school at the River Inn Resort and Conference Center in Hunt, the post said.
Randy, a criminal law attorney for more than five decades, survived the flooding, while Mollie did not.
“Mollie died in a manner consistent with how she lived — selflessly taking care of someone else before she took care of herself,” he wrote. “She wouldn’t leave the car until she was sure that I had done so. She saved my life. It wasn’t my day to die. I wish that it hadn’t been hers.”
Shon Scott
Shon Scott, 53, was a self-employed chiropractor at Restoration Chiropractic in Andrews for several years, according to his obituary.
“Shon loved his work and his patients; he considered most of them like his family and would do most anything for them,” his obituary said.
Shon was also devoted to his church — he was a member of the men’s bible study group, helped out with Sunday school and traveled to Mexico on mission trips.
In his free time, he enjoyed fishing and hunting, woodwork and camping.
“There was nothing he would not do for the people he loved and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him,” his obituary said. “Most of all Shon loved his family, especially his wife Jana who was always there for him.”
Margaret Sheedy
Margaret Sheedy bounced out of bed every morning ready for the day, her obituary said.
Her outfit was laid out carefully the night before so she could help her little brother get ready for school. The sound of dancing footsteps and upbeat music regularly poured from Margaret’s upstairs bedroom. At school, she volunteered to assist teachers in the classroom and practiced her acting lines during recess. And each night ended with a review of the day’s “highs and lows” from the eight-year-old.
Margaret had just finished second grade at The Kinkaid School in Houston and received her first communion at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. She played field hockey with the Texas Pride Field Hockey Club.
“A kinder and more sincere friend and classmate would be difficult to find,” her obituary said. “Her self-assuredness, thoughtfulness, and independence at such a young age were inspiring – she knew exactly who she was and stayed true to herself.”
Margaret loved baking brownies and playing “left-right-center” with her grandmothers, according to her obituary. She will be remembered by her large extended family, parents and two brothers.
“There is comfort in knowing she skipped through the gates of heaven with the same beaming smile and grace she displayed every day on Earth,” her obituary said.
Alvaro Sigala
Alvaro Sigala, 69, was on his way to a job site in Center Point when he was caught in the floodwaters, his wife said in a social media post. His car was found empty.
The family plans to bring his body back to San Antonio, and then to Progreso, Mexico, which will be “his eternal resting place,” Sigala’s niece Ana Laura Medrano posted on Facebook.
Renee Smajstrla
Renee Smajstrla’s mom told KXAS-TV (NBC5) that her 8-year-old daughter shared a cabin with Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner.
“We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life,” her uncle Shawn Salta wrote in a Facebook post. “She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic.”
Photos taken of her at Camp Mystic the day before the floods show her smiling in a bright pink tank top.
Mary Stevens
Mary Stevens, an 8-year-old student at Highland Park Elementary School in Austin, was having the time of her life at Camp Mystic, according to a statement by her mom obtained by the Austin American-Statesman.
In a letter sent from camp, Stacy Stevens learned her daughter had a dance party with her camp friends “before the Lord decided to take you from us,” the Statesman reported.
Mary was sister to two siblings, according to a GoFundMe post in her memory.
“Her laughter was infectious, her heart was generous, and her presence brought joy and comfort,” the post reads.
Greta Toranzo
It was Greta Toranzo’s third summer at Camp Mystic. She was excited to spend the next four weeks with her cabinmates, laughing, running across the grounds and playing camp games or sports.
The 10-year-old was athletic — in the pool or on the tennis court. At home or school, she beamed with joy, creativity, bravery and determination, her family said in a statement.
“We miss her bright spirit, her sweet smile and her endlessly loving heart,” her parents’ statement read.
Greta’s silhouette is immortalized on the fence outside her Houston elementary school. It’s become a gathering place for the community, a place for people to leave sidewalk messages in chalk or flowers, and donate to relief funds.
In the school’s neighborhood, people were asked to display blue ribbons — Greta’s favorite color.
Tim Walker
Houstonian Tim Walker, 63, was an artist, a husband of nearly 40 years, a father and a grandfather, and is remembered as “the guy who can fix anything,” the Houston Chronicle reported.
Walker was a self-taught neon artist, learning how to blow glass and fabricate neon as a young man. On his 21st birthday in 1983, he opened The Neon Gallery, according to the company’s website, which designs neon signs and sculptures. His wife Suzette started working with him at the gallery. They married in 1986.
In an opinion article for the Chronicle, Walker’s friend of more than 50 years, Scott Ross, recalled picking up Walker for school on his motorcycle, going to his beach house in Surfside and catching up over a beer.
“He was more like a brother than a friend,” Ross wrote in the Chronicle.
Jeff and Amber Wilson
Jeff Wilson worked within the Humble Independent School District for 30 years, including Humble High School and Kingwood Park High School, where he led the collision repair program.
Adan Ibarra, a close friend, posted on Facebook that Wilson was influential in the collision industry and “incredibly passionate about solving the technician shortage.”
“The minute you stepped into his shop, you immediately saw his dedication, every tool in its place, spotless floors, and perfect order,” he wrote. “Jeff didn’t just teach collision repair and refinishing; he taught students how to be respectful professionals, instilling lifelong values.”
Outside of the classroom, Ibarra said Wilson’s personality was “bigger than Texas,” adding he was “tough as an ox with a heart of gold.”
“We would always discuss our purpose and how it is our duty to leave a lasting impact with the blessings God has given us while we are here,” he said. “Jeff, you, my friend, have left a legacy that will never die. The world has lost a great cowboy.”
Amber Ledford Wilson, 45, was described as a Mama Bear and fiercely protective of her husband, Jeff, and son, Shiloh, according to The New York Times.
“They were always together in life, the Wilson three,” Clint Wilson, a family friend, told The Times. “Now they’ll be together forever.”
Shiloh Wilson
Shiloh Wilson, 12, was a two-time rodeo champion known as “Stingray,” according to KPRC2.
He was a “young, spirited competitor,” a fundraising page for the family states. Shiloh was in Kerrville for a rodeo with his parents — Amber and Jeff — when flooding swept through their campsite. His rodeo gear, including a saddle, chaps, boots and vest, was recovered in the flooding aftermath and sent to be restored.
Dozens lined the highway in Kingwood as police escorted Shiloh’s body home on Saturday, according to the Houston Chronicle. Onlookers removed their hats and held up handmade posters reading “Fly high cowboy” to honor Shiloh’s memory.
“Shiloh Stingray, he’s just a little stud. God gave him a gift, and he had the gift and the ability to ride broncs,” David Bender, a longtime friend of Jeff Wilson, told KPRC2.
Reece and Paula Zunker
Reece Zunker, 36, was a math teacher and the boy’s soccer coach at Tivy High School in Kerrville. His LinkedIn said he had been with the district since 2012.
“Coach Reece Zunker was not just a soccer coach,” a Facebook post on the Tivy Boy’s Soccer Team page said. “He was a mentor, teacher and a role model for our Kerrville kids. He rebuilt the soccer program and left a legacy.”
“His passion for his players, students, co-workers, community and his family will never be forgotten.”
The post said his favorite soccer team was Liverpool FC, and he loved their motto: “You’ll never walk alone.”
Paula Zunker, 35, used to teach at the school as well, according to a statement from the Kerrville Independent School District.
“[Reece’s] unwavering dedication to our students, athletes, and the Tivy community touched countless lives and will never be forgotten,” the statement said. “Paula, a former Tivy teacher, also left a lasting mark on our community. The care and impact she shared with her students continue to be felt, even years later.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Staff writers Maggie Prosser, Julia James and Lauren Nutall contributed to this report.
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