Ryan David Horton was born on September 7th , 1989, to Cris and Debbie Horton. At that time they could have never imagined the memories that could be built and what a life of only 25 years could accomplish. Only 25 years to become a man of wisdom befitting a man of many more years. He was always so amazing to us, but we were his parents. Surely his friends and others in his life saw him as just another man trying to make his way in life. Sure, God had granted him musical talents, intelligence, insight and the gift of humor. Those are the attributes many people have been described as possessing. Oh, but there was so much more. It was truly the gift of giving that out-shined everything else. It is amazing how Love brings out the best in people. With our family, every encounter starts and ends with a Kiss and a Hug. There wasn’t enough for my wife and I as a child, and we wanted more for our family. Ryan took this philosophy to the world in his own special way. Ryan was so courageous with his encounters with people; even when meeting a person the first time. He wanted to know you. What made you tick and more importantly, what were your dreams and what was getting in the way of you realizing them. It was always about the people. It didn’t matter if he had to sacrifice his time, go out of his way or put something seemingly important to him on the back burner. If you were in trouble, you needed a friend or were celebrating a victory; you were instantly the most important thing in his life. He really put his heart out there, not afraid to feel your pain. Never turning a blind eye but always searching for those in need for a friend. Ryan was that person that you knew was thinking of you all day, thinking of the right words to encourage you and lift you up to a smile and a laugh.

Ryan always thought of his music as something to sooth and heal. He started playing at the age of 14. At the end of one year it was obvious that he was meant for music. His skills as a musician and composer increased at an astounding rate. First the guitar, then the piano and then on to organic music. He would record the sounds of nature, a laugh or a voice and stretch and smash them to sound like other instruments. He literally created and orchestra of drums, horns and tambourines to accompany his guitar and piano. In the end we found thousands of songs and sound bites. Some were finished other’s half done and some abandoned. He encouraged many people that wanted to give up on music to stay in it. Helped some get over stage fright and got others to try out for parts they never thought they were worthy of. He always thought more of you or thought that you were capable of more than you thought you were yourself. And to mention, he was a certified Butcher, and an incredible Chef! There wasn’t anything he did that he did not perfect, he had a philosophy to only do what you do to the best. 

A man of exceedingly goofy out there humor; he got people to act in ways they would have said they never would. He was contagious in a way that was a blessing to all who know him.  He was the Courageous Healing Clown. 

Ryan passed suddenly on January 19, 2015 and we never found out why; possibly a very rare arrhythmia that couldn’t be detected or named. When we left the funeral where 300 people came to morn him, we thought we would never see him again till we closed our eyes for the last time. That was where we were wrong. Ryan had left so much of himself in his friends. They became like Ryan for us. They always visit, laugh and mourn with us to this day. It isn’t uncommon for our home to be blessed with six or eight of them at a time. Even two years later, we find ourselves with plans for the weekend with friends of Ryan’s. They have even vacationed with us.  Only Ryan could cause this. He changed them -- he changed us -- he changed the world. Until our next kiss and hug. We love you Ry Ry.