‘This is it for us’: Denton man killed in July 4 floods left voicemails for kids
A Denton County man who died in the July 4 Central Texas floods left his children voicemails shortly before floodwaters overtook his camper in Kerrville, the man’s son told KDFW-TV.
Jeff Ramsey and his wife, Tanya, from Lewisville, were staying in a camper in the HTR TX Hill Country Campground when the flooding began early Independence Day morning, 23-year-old Jake Ramsey told KDFW. Jeff Ramsey used his final moments to call his son Jake and daughter Rachel to say goodbye.
“He left us both voicemails basically saying, ‘Hey buddy, I love you so much, I think this is it for us. Tell Rache-y I love her,” Jake Ramsey told KDFW.
Ramsey also called his brother-in-law and his mother, who were staying in a cabin 100 yards away, according to ABC News. Ramsey’s warning gave the two enough time to escape the impending flood.
Jake Ramsey later logged on to his father’s phone and saw that a warning message had been sent by the RV park at 4:49 in the morning, he told KDFW.
“We have just received an emergency notification from the fire department that we do need to evacuate the park due to the river is flooding,” the message reads. Ramsey received the message at the same time he was calling his son and daughter to say goodbye, Jake Ramsey said.
Jeff Ramsey’s dog, Chloe, survived the floods and was recovered by his family, Jake Ramsey said.
Jeff Ramsey was an insurance salesman and did volunteer work with the Adaptive Training Foundation, a gym for veterans who are amputees, KDFW-TV reported. Tanya Ramsey was a breast cancer survivor who was one year in remission. Tanya’s cancer battle connected her with wigs.com, where she was the client care manager.
The family is still searching for Jeff’s body, according to a GoFundMe. The GoFundMe has raised over $36,000 for funeral costs and other expenses. Any funds not used will be donated to other flood survivors, the family said on the fundraising page.
More than 130 people have died in the floods and over 100 people are still missing, according to state and local officials.
This story was originally published July 12, 2025 at 6:07 PM.
