Ryan J.

By Ryan's mom, Stacy

Ryan Wayne Jackson

Owensville, Ohio

Ryan Wayne Jackson was born on December 6, 1987. Ryan’s father and I were just 22 and 19 years-old, respectively. Growing up, Ryan was a spirited child - always doing something and always on the go. He enjoyed collecting things and had several collections of anything and everything.

Despite being diagnosed with ADHD, Ryan was a tremendous student in school; receiving A's and B's with perfect attendance until the 6th grade. Ryan also set a couple of athletic records in elementary school, which are still held by him today.

Middle school was when things started to change for Ryan. He tried out for the basketball team but didn't make it; this was a major blow for him. In addition, Ryan had a few other issues that began to arise. He was prescribed medication for his ADHD and his classmates started asking to buy his medicine from him. This was also around the time Ryan first tried marijuana.

Ryan later received his degree as a mechanic. Around ten years ago Ryan was in a serious traffic accident, causing him significant pain in his back. Afterward he was prescribed medication to help with the pain. For some time, Ryan seemed to do fairly well managing the pain without medication.

About seven years ago, Ryan started dating someone he previously went to school with - this was the beginning of the end for him. The couple had two little girls. During this time Ryan lost custody of his stepson to the boy’s father, and later lost his own father tragically. Ryan’s life was spiraling out of control. He lost his jobs, his cars, his house - essentially everything he owned. In the end, Ryan was homeless and in trouble with the law.

Ryan tried to get back into his daughters’ lives and was 30 days clean. He was working full time and was in the process of going see a counselor.

The night Ryan overdosed it was his payday; the temptation was too great for him to suppress. On May 6, 2016, Ryan’s grandmother found him unresponsive at 8 AM. This was the worst day of my life.

Ryan had a gigantic heart. He loved hard and fully. Ryan had a beautiful smile, a contagious laugh, and was a hard worker. Ryan always loved his family. We miss him deeply.