KERRVILLE, Texas – July 4 marks one year since the devastating Hill Country floods that killed at least 138 people, including 119 in Kerr County. For one Kerrville family, the grief of losing a son and brother still feels as raw as the day it happened.
Outside a blue house, the wind moves through a wooden chime. An American flag flaps nearby. By the front door, a wooden cross stands with “Julian” written across it, surrounded by signatures from people who loved him.
Inside, Julian Ryan Rounsley’s presence is everywhere: a Bible, photographs and a space his family created to keep his memory close.
“He liked eating anything cooked,” Julian’s brother, Joseph Rounsley, said. “He was just outgoing, very outgoing. Meet anybody, you’ll become friends instantly. Light up a room, best smile.”
Joseph said that’s how he wants people to remember Julian — not for the way he died, but for the life he lived: fishing, spending time with family and showing up to sports games.
“Being here, getting to do things, go to immediate places, fishing, hang out at sports because my boys… he liked sports,” Joseph said. “Julian was a very good athlete… He liked to go everywhere with us when we played games… That’s really one thing I really, really miss. You just can’t take it for granted.”
Last July, those everyday memories were shattered when floodwaters rose rapidly around their mother’s mobile home. Joseph could only watch from the other end of a FaceTime call as the situation turned deadly.
“She got into the room, it was already over their head,” Joseph said, describing the moments he said he witnessed. “He punched the window… He turned around like a ghost and said, ‘Mom, I’m dying.’ …For days, it just kept in my mind.”
Today, the family lives farther from the river. Joseph said they never wanted to leave Kerrville, but moving away from the water was necessary for his mother’s peace of mind. He said a foundation helped them buy their current home after the flood destroyed what they had.
“She will never be back by the water,” Joseph said. “We never replace anything, but for something she can call home again. That was really awesome.”
On July 4, family and friends will gather at the house to remember Julian. Joseph said he plans to smoke brisket, share stories and honor a young man he says never met a stranger.
“Just knowing it’ll never be another… Fourth of July will never be the same. Ever,” Joseph said.
A year has passed. The wind sounds the same. For this family, Joseph said, life never will.