Texas flooding victims: From young campers to a dad saving his family, what we know about the lives lost

Young campers at Camp Mystic and a dad saving his family were among the at least 130 people who were killed in the historic flash floods that tore through central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend.

Here's what we know about the lives lost:

Chloe Childress

Chloe Childress, a counselor at Camp Mystic, was set to attend the University of Texas at Austin in the fall.

She "lived a beautiful life that saturated those around her with contagious joy, unending grace, and abiding faith," her family said in a statement. "Returning as a counselor to the place she loved so dearly, Chloe was looking forward to dedicating her summer days to loving and mentoring young girls at Camp Mystic."

Jonathan Eades, the head of The Kinkaid School, from which she graduated earlier this year, remembered Childress as someone who had a "remarkable way of making people feel seen" and "steady compassion that settled a room."

"Whether it was sharing her own challenges to ease someone's burden or quietly cheering a teammate or classmate through a tough day, Chloe made space for others to feel safe, valued, and brave. She understood what it meant to be part of a community, and more than that, she helped build one," Eades wrote in a letter to the school community.

Childress "lost her life upholding this selfless and fierce commitment to others," Eades said.

"A loyal and beloved friend to all who knew her, Chloe led with empathy. Her honesty gave others the courage to speak up. Her resilience helped others push through. Her joy, so present in all the little things, reminded all who knew her to keep showing up with heart," he said.

Jane Ragsdale 

Jane Ragsdale was the director of the Heart O' the Hills Camp for Girls.

"We at the camp are stunned and deeply saddened by Jane's death," Heart O' the Hills Camp said in a statement. "She embodied the spirit of Heart O' the Hills and was exactly the type of strong, joyful woman that the camp aimed to develop with the girls entrusted to us each summer."

Julian Ryan

Julian Ryan, 27, died after trying to help his family escape their trailer home in Ingram, according to his sister, Connie Salas.

Ryan and his fiancée woke up early Friday to ankle-deep water inside their home, and within moments, the water surged to waist level, she said.

As their mattress began to float, the couple placed their 13-month-old and 6-year-old sons on top for safety, Salas said. The bedroom door, swollen shut from water pressure, would not open.

In a desperate attempt to escape, Ryan tried to break a window and suffered a severe cut to his arm, Salas said.

He began to bleed profusely, Salas said, and as the water rose to their chins, Ryan's mother shouted for help.

Ryan lost consciousness before help could arrive, she said.

"I love you. I'm so sorry," were Ryan's last words to his fiancée when he realized he wasn't going to survive, the family said.

"He didn't die in vain," Salas told ABC News. "He died a hero."

Katheryn Eads

Katheryn Eads and her husband were camping in an RV when they got separated in the floodwaters, her daughter said.

"Dr. Katheryn Eads lived a fulfilling life, cut far too short," the Eads family said in a statement. "She was an incredible wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, and person who spent her life helping kids, from those in the foster care system early in her career to those in school, both in early education as a psychologist and in college as a professor. Trying to figure out our lives without her is a possibility we never planned to face and we will always miss her."

Hanna Lawrence and Rebecca Lawrence

Camp Mystic victims Hanna Lawrence and Rebecca Lawrence were 8-year-old twin sisters from Dallas.

Their 14-year-old sister, Harper, survived the flooding, their family said.

"It has been an unimaginable time for all of us," their grandfather, David Lawrence Jr., said. "Hanna and Rebecca gave their parents John and Lacy and sister Harper, and all in our family, so much joy. They and that joy can never be forgotten."

Hanna had "endless energy and imagination" and wanted to be a chef when she grew up to open a restaurant that feeds people in need for free, the Lawrence family said in a statement.

Rebecca had an "infectious laugh," loved animals and wanted to be a teacher. "She was sweet and kind, but had a killer eye-roll," her family added.

Hanna and Rebecca had the "sweetest friendship," the family said. "We are devastated that the bond we shared with them, and that they shared with each other, is now frozen in time."

Dick Eastland

Dick Eastland, who served as the longtime director of Camp Mystic with his wife, died trying to save the lives of his campers, according to public officials.

"If he wasn't going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way, saving the girls that he so loved and cared for," his grandson, George Eastland, wrote on Instagram. "A husband, father, grandfather, and mentor to thousands of young women, he no longer walks this earth, but his impact will never leave the lives he touched."

He called his grandfather a "dear friend, fishing buddy, hunting guide, golf partner, avid Texas Longhorns fanatic, my #1 fan, and above all else: a hero."

"What I'll take most from you is your positive attitude, servant heart, and ability to remain faithful in the toughest of times," George Eastland wrote. "Through battling cancer to the death of your son James, you showed me what a strong Christian man looks like. You loved others when they didn't love you back, and were so quick to help out when anyone at camp had the slightest inconveniences. Although I am devastated, I can't say I'm surprised that you sacrificed your life with the hopes of someone else's being saved."

He "made everyone feel safe and seen," former Camp Mystic counselor Ryan Robinson told ABC News Live.

"He is just truly the most selfless, kind, father figure to thousands of girls," Robinson said. "I had the privilege of teaching the fishing class with him at Camp Mystic, and those are truly some of my favorite life memories. I felt lucky every single day that I got to talk to Dick."

Anna Margaret Bellows

Anna Margaret Bellows, 8, was a camper at Camp Mystic, her mom, Patricia Bellows, told Houston ABC station KTRK.

"For those who knew her, she was a radiant joy. She was just a lot of fun and kind," she said.

Patricia Bellows said she was grateful for camp director Dick Eastland and the counselors who sacrificed their lives to try to save their campers.

They "loved our children and protected them until the very end," she said.

Mary Grace Baker

Mary Grace Baker, an 8-year-old camper at Camp Mystic, was a "bright light" who loved dance, art and Little League, her school said.

Mary Grace was "known for her kindness and friendship to all, her joyful spirit and her love for her faith and family," St. Anne Catholic School said in a statement. "Her giggle was contagious, as was her spirit."

"She was a girls' girl who loved pink, sparkles and bows in her signature angelic ringlet curls," the school said. "We are heartbroken."

Blakely McCrory

Blakely McCrory, 8, died in the flooding at Camp Mystic, her maternal grandfather, Douglas McLeod, told ABC News.

Blakely's mom, aunts and older brother went to Kerrville to help find her, McLeod said, and the 8-year-old's body has since been recovered.

Blakely's dad died of a sudden heart attack just two months ago, McLeod said.

"This is a double tragedy for my daughter," he said. "She's a very strong woman. But I know how much we're grieving. We're just devastated. But she's showing strength on the outside."

Blair Harber and Brooke Harber

Sisters Blair Harber, 13, and Brooke Harber, 11, who were staying with their family near the Guadalupe River, were in the loft of their cabin with their rosaries when the flooding began, according to the St. Rita Catholic Community in Dallas. The sisters' bodies were found together 15 miles away the next day.

Blair, a rising eighth grader, "had the kindest heart and loved to serve others," the St. Rita Catholic Community said in a statement.

She was an "outstanding student" who took advanced classes, the statement said, and she "served as a Student Ambassador, proudly guiding prospective families through the school."

She participated in yearbook, speech and drama, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse and cheerleading, the statement said, and was planning to audition for the lead role in the eighth grade play.

Brooke, a rising sixth grader, was also an "excellent student" and was an "accomplished soccer, basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse player," the statement said.

"She, too, loved speech and drama and had a particular gift for improv that brought smiles and laughter to those around her," the statement said. "Brooke never met a stranger and loved everyone she met."

Bailey Martin

Odessa police officer Bailey Martin was on a trip with his family when the flooding began, according to the Odessa Police Department.

His body was recovered on Monday, police said.

All Odessa police officers are wearing mourning bands on their badges, police said, and officials are encouraging Odessa residents to replace their porch lights with blue bulbs to honor Martin.

Jeff Ramsey and Tanya Ramsey

Jeff Ramsey, 61, and his wife, Tanya Ramsey, 46, both died in the floods while staying in a camper in Kerrville.

Jeff Ramsey spent the final moments before floodwaters overtook his camper warning his family about the impending danger, giving them enough time to escape, as well as leaving goodbye voicemails for his children, according to his son, Jake Ramsey.

Jeff Ramsey "was always looking out for his family first," Jake Ramsey told ABC News Live. "He was just all about helping his community, helping veterans. And he just loved his country and loved us more than anything. And so I couldn't have asked for a better dad."

Joyce Catherine Badon

Joyce Catherine Badon, a senior architecture student at the Savannah College of Art and Design, was staying at a cabin with friends when she died in the floodwaters, according to the college.

The flooding "happened so quickly with so much water, they could not get in the attic," her mother wrote on social media.

"A beloved daughter, friend, and classmate, Joyce was passionate about using her artistry and talent to impact the world," SCAD said in a statement.

The school said Badon recently worked on a community project helping Goodwill Southeast Georgia redesign its donation centers.

Eloise 'Lulu' Peck

When Eloise "Lulu" Peck, started a dog-walking service this summer, the 8-year-old donated a quarter of her earnings to an animal rescue organization.

"At just eight years old, her profound love and compassion for animals shone brightly, reflecting the purity and kindness of her heart," Blueberry Hill Farm and Rescue said in a statement honoring her life. A family friend confirmed her death to ABC News.

Blueberry Hill Farm and Rescue named a recently built shelter in her memory, naming it "Lulu's Puppy Hut." The organization also established a fund in her name.

"This shelter will provide much-needed warmth, safety, and a loving place for our foster puppies to stay until we find their forever homes …We will cherish our sweet Lulu, her name and her love of animals daily here at our rescue farm," the organization said.

Mary Kathryn Jacobe

Mary Kathryn Jacobe, 8, was the "most certainly [an] angel on earth," her family said in a statement confirming her death. She was at Camp Mystic at the time of the flooding.

"She was tiny but mighty, full of love and joy with a smile that melted your heart. Mary Kate, our Sissy, was the baby of our large family and was most certainly our angel on earth. We are utterly shattered and forever changed by the loss of our girl," her family said in a statement.

Renee Smajstrla

Renee Smajstrla, a "joyful and spirited" 8-year-old, "was doing what she loved most" when she died, her family said.

She was at Camp Mystic, "surrounded by friendship, faith, and the beauty of nature," her family said in a statement. "She was truly living her best life."

The family has established a fund in her honor "to support opportunities for other young girls to experience the same joy, community, and spiritual growth that defined Renee’s time at Christian camp," they said.

"Thank you for the overwhelming outpouring of love and support from our family, friends, and even kind strangers from around the world. While we haven’t been able to respond to every message, please know that we have read each one with gratitude in our hearts," they said.

Joni Brake

Robert Brake Jr. confirmed that his mother Joni Brake’s body was recovered. The Brakes were at a cabin along the Guadalupe River when the flooding began.

"Our family -- my brother Lucas, my sister Liza, and I -- have walked through unimaginable heartbreak. But we have not walked it alone,” Robert said in a statement. “To every person who prayed, shared our story, sent a message, or simply paused to think of us: thank you. One day, I hope I can say that to each of you in person. When you’re in the midst of grief, it’s the smallest act -- a kind word, a shared memory, a silent prayer -- that gives you the strength to push on."

Tanya Burwick

Tanya Burwick, 62, went missing while driving in the floodwaters, and her body was later recovered several blocks away from her car, San Angelo police said.

"Our hearts are heavy as we extend our deepest condolences to Ms. Burwick's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time," police said in a statement.

The San Angelo Walmart, where Burwick worked since 2015, said "her dedication, warmth, and spirit touched so many of us over the years."

"She will be truly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing and working with her," the store said in a statement. "We will honor her memory and the many ways she has helped shape our store, our team, and our Walmart Family!"

Virginia Wynne Naylor

Virginia Wynne Naylor, an 8-year-old camper at Camp Mystic, had a "great love of the outdoors, a love of God, and love for her community," her family said in a statement.

The Naylor family said it's created a fund in her honor to support the local education system, youth wildlife conservation efforts and Christian ministries.

Malaya Grace Hammond

Malaya Grace Hammond, 17, was on her way to her beloved camp in Missouri, where she was so excited to be a counselor, when her family encountered flooding on their drive.

Malaya "miraculously" managed to open the minivan’s back door as the water quickly rose, and she helped everyone in the back seats escape the car, her father Matthew Hammond told ABC News.

Malaya -- a lifeguard and a certified swim instructor -- was swept away in the water, her father said. The last time he saw her, she was singing "Rise and Shine Give God the Glory" -- a song she planned to teach her campers, he said.

"Luminous" Malaya was a barista, a talented singer and artist, and a peacemaker, her dad said.

"Her middle name was Grace for a reason -- she was grace personified," Hammond said.

"Just being with her, it just made everything better," he said. "In a world that's so out of control ... she was the counterbalance to that. She took her sweet, sweet time, and we love that about her. It made us slow down. And I really miss that."

Tony Fernandez

Tony Fernandez was a captain at the Ingram Fire Department, where firefighters are now mourning "a soul who made our team whole," the department said.

Fernandez's "absence leaves a hole that can never be filled," the Ingram Fire Department said in a statement.

"He gave everything in service, not just to his department, but to this entire community," the department said. "There are no words strong enough to describe the pain we feel. No uniform prepares you for this. No training equips you to bury someone you stood shoulder to shoulder with just days before. He was brave. He was selfless. He was family."

"We will carry his memory with every step, every call, every act of service," the statement said. "Please keep his loved ones -- and our entire fire family -- in your thoughts."

Bruce Ferguson and Penny Ferguson

Bruce and Penny Ferguson were adventurers and spent their final days doing what they loved: taking their RV to the Guadalupe River, their family said.

"They did have a very wonderful life full of adventure. It just came to a tragic end," granddaughter Autumn Orenday told ABC News.

They loved fishing, wildlife and "anything outdoors," she said. They made every day of their retirement an adventure, living in their RV full-time and loving the ability to "pick up and go," she said.

"They were so very friendly. They never met a stranger," she said.

Orenday remembered that her grandfather was a master storyteller, loving to share his memories of adventures with his family.

"They did always have the best stories," she said.

Kellyanne Elizabeth Lytal

Kellyanne Elizabeth Lytal was an 8-year-old camper at Camp Mystic, her family said.

"She was kind, fearless, silly, compassionate, and a loving friend to everyone," the Lytal family said in a statement. "Kellyanne believed deeply in Jesus, and we rejoice in the comfort of knowing she is in Heaven with our Lord and Savior."

"Our family wants to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this difficult time," they said. "We are forever grateful for the men and women who are assisting in the Search and Rescue efforts. Please continue to pray for all families affected by this tragedy."

Katherine Ferruzzo

The remains of Katherine Ferruzzo, a counselor at Camp Mystic, were found on July 11, a spokesperson for her family said in a statement.

Ferruzzo "had been accepted to The University of Texas at Austin this fall and planned to become a Special Education teacher," the statement said. "The Katherine Ferruzzo Legacy Foundation is being established to honor Katherine and her compassion for those with special needs and learning differences."

"We are heartbroken for the other families and pray for all who have been affected," the family said.

Hadley Hanna

Hadley Hanna, 8, was a camper at Camp Mystic, according to family spokesperson Scott Sayres.

"Our families are experiencing unimaginable grief. We are reaching out with a heartfelt request for privacy and compassion," the family said in a statement released by their spokesperson. "While we are deeply moved by the outpouring of support from neighbors, first responders, and volunteers, we ask that the media, the public, and even well-meaning individuals honor our need for space and quiet during this time. The constant spotlight and inquiries -- however well-intended -- add to our distress. We appreciate your empathy, your prayers, and understanding."

Sarah Marsh

Sarah Marsh, 8, of Mountain Brook, Alabama, was a camper at Camp Mystic, Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch said.

"This is an unimaginable loss for her family, her school, and our entire community. Sarah's passing is a sorrow shared by all of us, and our hearts are with those who knew and loved her," the mayor said in a statement.

Alabama Sen. Katie Britt wrote on social media that she's "keeping her family in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time."

Janie Hunt

Janie Hunt, 9, was also among the victims. Georgia Rep. Buddy Carter said Janie was cousins with his granddaughters, who survived the flooding.

"God of grace & comfort, we thank you for our precious little niece, Janie Hunt. Thank you for the special place she held in all our hearts," Janie's aunt, Libby Hunt, wrote on social media. "We thank you for the love in which she was born and for the care in which she was given by her loving parents."

"As we remember times of love & laughter, we thank you for the sweet love we all shared with darling, little Janie," she continued. "We continue to pray for, Camp Mystic, The Hill Country & for those that have passed away & their families & those that are still missing."

Reece Zunker and Paula Zunker

Reece Zunker, a soccer coach and teacher in Kerrville, Texas, and his wife, Paula Zunker, both died in the flooding, according to the Kerrville Independent School District.

Their children were reported missing, the district said.

Reece Zunker's soccer team called him a "mentor, teacher and a role model" who "rebuilt the soccer program and left a legacy."

"Reece was a passionate educator and a beloved soccer coach," the school district said in a statement. "His unwavering dedication to our students, athletes, and the Tivy community touched countless lives and will never be forgotten. 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."

Jeff Wilson, Amber Ledford and Shiloh Wilson

Jeff Wilson, 55, Amber Ledford, 45 and Shiloh Wilson, 12, were overnighting in the HTR RV Park on a trip to a rodeo in which Shiloh was set to compete.

The family described Shiloh as a "young, spirited competitor."

Emergency responders have found the bodies of Jeff Wilson, a beloved high school teacher, and Amber Wilson, but Shiloh’s remains are missing. Shiloh’s rodeo gear was recovered and his family said they plan to restore it in his memory.

Linnie McCown

Linnie McCown "was a shining light who filled our lives with indescribable joy," her family said in a statement.

"Our family is experiencing unimaginable grief, and we are asking for privacy and compassion as we mourn the loss of our beloved Linnie," the family said.

John Burgess

John Burgess, 39, was camping with his family near the Guadalupe River when he died in the flooding, his family told KTRK. His wife and two sons are unaccounted for, the family said.

Preston Prince, 22

Walter Reed, 79

William Govaniavic Venus, 57

ABC News' Camilla Alcini, Christopher Looft and Gabrielle Vinick contributed to this report.