Ryan passed away June 26. He was 42.
Born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, Ryan worked as a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker Kennon, Parker, Duncan & Davis. He was also recently an accomplished carpenter. But he was a local legend for the joy he brought others with music. Ryan’s parents bought him his first guitar when he was 10, and he never put it down.
“In another time, another place, another life, he would have been a generational star. In this life, he was ours,” said Josh Becker, a friend. Ryan had an encyclopedic knowledge of music, and his charisma drew people in when he performed on stage. He was intelligent, had perfect pitch, and he used his natural gifts to write and produce truly one-of-a-kind songs throughout his life.
The first song he played in front of an audience was Harry Chapin’s Cats in the Cradle at his parents’ church. When he was 14, Ryan taught his father how to play the rhythm parts to Patience by Guns N Roses while Ryan played the lead. The combo was one of his dad’s greatest memories. Ryan would spend hours upon hours reading and learning the ins and outs of the music industry – equipment, management, and finances.
While Ryan’s performances captivated his audiences, ¬he could also sit and talk for hours with you and make you feel like you were the only other person in the room.
After attending Hardaway High School, Ryan dedicated his life to studying his craft and pursuing every educational opportunity he could find whether it was in music – especially music – carpentry, or real estate. He was a deeply passionate person who poured 110 percent of himself into everything he did.
Ryan loved the ocean and found great solace there during times of hardship. But most of all, he loved being a dad to River, and spending time with River was his greatest joy. He brought his mother great comfort and happiness by joining her for church and deeply pursuing God in the last few months of his life.
Ryan will be deeply missed. The memories and adventures his loved ones shared with him will be carried in their minds and hearts until the end of time.
Ryan is survived by his son, River Rulon; parents, Kathy and Bryan Rulon; Siblings, Lauren Cook (Drew), Adam Rulon, and Nicholas Lynn-Rulon (Ansley); aunts and uncles, Allen Walburn, Elizabeth McCall (Gary), Nathaniel Walburn, David Rulon (Anna), and Nan Doucet; three nieces and nephews; and eight cousins.
Ryan is preceded in death by his grandparents, Mildred Louise and Allen Ben Walburn, and Dorothy Louise Hartin (George) and Leonard Jack Rulon; and his uncle, Wills Doucet.
Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 7, at Christ Community Church, 4078 Milgen Road, Columbus, followed by the funeral service at 11 am. After the funeral service, a committal service will be held at Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Road, Columbus.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made through Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd, Columbus, Georgia 31907, (706-563-2372) to support the family in this sudden time of need.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Rulon family.
