Ryan Keller
Ryan Jack Keller was born on March 4, 1991, and died on August 15, 2017, at the young age of 26.
He leaves behind his father, Jack Keller, mother and stepfather, Grace and James McLaren, sister, Paige Keller and stepbrother, Trip McLaren, grandmother, Lois Sandusky, and an amazing extended family.
Ryan had an overwhelming passion for the Lord, his family, community of friends, outdoors, young people and touching their lives.
Ryan graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, loved the city, chose to live in Glass Street community. Because of an overwhelming calling and passion for these young lives in this community, Ryan started an outdoor wilderness-based foundation, Bridge Chattanooga, to work with inner city kids at Dalewood Middle School with support of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust. He also worked in wilderness programs with YMCA and Outward Bound. He also worked with Highland Park Chapel, Build Me a World, and Glass House Collective. There were no boundaries to what Ryan would give for the people in his community.
Ryan had a natural joy for life. There were no limits to how far Ryan would go to bring laughter to all who knew him. Because of this, the endless “Ryan stories” he created through laughter, pranks and adventures will last a lifetime. He will always remain a gift to all who knew him.
The burden Ryan felt to care for so many weighed heavily on Ryan. In the quiet of the day, Ryan had his devotion time with God. God was with him when he lost his life. God greeted Ryan into Heaven with open arms. Through Ryan’s faith and through all, God is still God, Jesus is seated on the throne victoriously! Ryan Jack Keller was, is and will always be God’s precious child. This world was a better place with Ryan here. Heaven will never be the same with Ryan there.
Ryan accepted Christ as his Savior and knew the joy that could only come from the Lord at a young age. He longed to show them peace and hope. Ryan’s untimely death does not deny his hope, joy or faith.
A memorial service will be in Chattanooga at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17, at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1505 North Moore Road, Chattanooga.
Funeral services will be in Memphis, at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Independent Presbyterian Church.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials will be sent to Tennessee River Gorge Trust (Memo: Bridge Chattanooga, 1214 Dartmouth Street, Chattanooga, Tn. 37405.)
Please visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.