Ryan Rhoades lived a full life, until a car accident took him away from us. His father, sister, friends and I miss him so much!!!! I have peace knowing that I’ll meet up with Ryan in Heaven. Because of his saving faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, we can be assured that Ryan is celebrating with my parents, Uncle Paul and so many others who have gone before us. In honor of my son, Ryan, I have been placing Bibles at his memorial spot where his car accident occurred. I’m encouraged by how many have been taken. I pray that others will come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Love you Ryan! Mom
❤ THANK YOU to Ryan’s friends that placed many “memory stones” at Ryan’s Spot. UPDATE = 1,628 Bibles taken as of today, December 27, 2025. I appreciate your ongoing prayers for these individuals. ❤
I just looked up Ryan’s Spot and have been reading the messages and looking at all the pictures. Got a glimpse of the love for your beloved son, and the ways your love is helping people. My heart hurts for all of your loss, but i am in awe of your reaching out to others. Seeing God in action here.
"Please let Jean know that the Bible you gave me has served me very well. Not only in my personal journey but through school as well. First Bible I've ever read beginning to end. I'm sure there are many more stories out there that you guys have created."
I can't believe its been so long already. I have his I-10 and Wilmot poem you made on my bathroom mirror. I see it everyday. I'm glad he's at peace, but man do I wish he was here. Now that I'm older and I think differently and I often wonder how happy he could've been if he had just gotten a little older. Idk. I'm sorry Jean, I miss him.
Eight years since Ryan's passing to heaven. You are in my prayers Jean along with Joe and Becca. I miss my friend dearly, and wish he could meet Asher who carries his name as a middle name.
I was driving by Ryan's Spot last Saturday stopped at the red light and I looked over as I always do. There was a man sitting under the bridge and Jean he was reading. It brought tears to my eyes because if it wasn't for your dedication he would not of been doing that. Just wanted to let you know you are making a difference.
I drive by this spot often and just found this site. Thank you for sharing your love of your son and your love of God!! ❤️ And for spreading the good news with the Bibles!
Ryan, you are never forgotten <3
Happy birthday little brother.
I have been reflecting on my journey with grief so far and praying today. I felt God leading me to use these days of reflection and heartache to recall memories with my brother instead of focus how down I feel.
Pictured here is Uncle Paul, Ryan, and me.
My brother and I had a shared favorite childhood memory with Uncle Paul.
He had a van that we loved riding in!
It only had a back row seat and the rest was flat and carpeted until the drivers seat.
Our favorite part was there were no seatbelts for the back seat that we would sit in…
So, as Uncle Paul would drive we would roll around the back of the van, letting the acceleration, turns, and breaking roll us back and forth. We called it the roller coaster. We didn’t try to hide that we were doing this. We would be giggling and say ‘wooooooah!’ as we would roll around. And I’m sure Uncle Paul heard our bodies thudding around the van like loose cargo.
Was it safe? Absolutely not. Fun? The most!
We would always look forward to our rides in the van for this reason.
One day with much anticipation, we loaded up in the van as usual, but this time Uncle Paul started putting bungee cords across our laps and chests, securing us to the back seat, creating make shift seat belts.
Ryan and I sat there in silence with heads lowered, knowing our days of rolling around in the van had come to an end. Uncle Paul didn’t say a word while he did this, but somehow there was an unsaid understanding and us accepting our fate.
I remember us looking at each other after he finished securing us, feeling the pressure of the cords pressing into our bodies. All we could do was look at each other in solace. Our roller coaster van days were over.
My brother and I would reminisce and laugh at this memory into our adulthood.
My mom reminded me tonight that I loved this memory so much that I drew a picture of it!
I will forever cherish this memory. ❤️
This morning at Ryan's Spot, while I was drawing chalk hearts on the sidewalk, a man in a truck parked by Ryan’s Spot. He said, “I see you here often. He must have been one hell of a man!”. I told him, “He is my son. And YES, he was one hell of a man!”. This guy, wearing a ball cap stating he’s an Army Veteran, offered me $20 'for my work'. I thanked him but didn’t accept it. I explained that the Bibles are donations and I come here weekly as a ‘love service’. I showed him the Bible chart and let him know that as of today 1,219 Bibles have been taken.
Savanah Band
Ryan's 8th grade graduation at FOL School
Ryan's 14th Birthday Party
Ryan's 15th Birthday Party at Rocks and Ropes
Here you go Nick – at a U of A football game
Ryan I’m really thinking about you brother. It’s really hard to believe 7 years have gone by since we last spoke and you were with us. I love you like a brother. We had so many good times! I’m sure you know that my son was born this year on 1/15. The odds of my son and you sharing that day of birth gives me comfort knowing you are with Our Lord. A thing that breaks my heart is I use to have awesome photos of us growing up. But I don’t have Facebook anymore so those photos are gone? I was so stupid to not save those photos before I deleted the account. I know your mom has a couple that I will ask her for. I Love you brother.
Brings a tear to my eye. I miss my friend.
Love the "Friendship Bracelet" left at Ryan's Spot this past week! Warms my heart!!!!
That is really BEAUTIFUL! It brought tears to my eyes. As it will to many. He was so loved. And now he's with Jesus in heaven.
Can you imagine all the people who are going to come up to you in heaven and say they never would have read a Bible if you hadn't been faithful and proactive in this spot? May the Lord bless that prayer and answer it so fruitfully Jean!!
We have a new cross for Ryan's Spot. A comment: "I love it, with the flowers and all of the rocks it's so perfect!!! It's going to make such an impact on people who walk by there."
Ryan Rhoades had such an amazing light to him, funniest guy on the planet. Not a day goes by where I don’t miss that man. Great friends lead to great friends and great times ❤️
I miss you dawg, love you man
My brother died in a car accident. His crash site is near an underpass that has frequent foot traffic. My mom set up a stand with Bibles, devotionals, reading glasses, etc.
It has been met with people destroying it over the years, but we continue to rebuild and continue the mission of spreading God’s Word no matter what evil is thrown our way.
I host a Go Fund Me every year around the anniversary of his death to raise funds for the supplies. My mom has a great relationship with a local Christian thrift store that gives her Bibles that are donated and they won’t sell. She has done this for years and has tracked how many Bibles are taken and we just passed the 1,000 mark. Praise God!
This morning I went to Ryan's Spot to clean up and replenish Bibles. I keep a tally of Bibles taken. As of today, there have been ONE THOUSAOND AND ONE Bibles taken!!!! Please join me in praying for these individuals. May they come to know Jesus as their Savior.
<3 Forever in our hearts!
We attended a "Donate Life Arizona" quilt pinning. I made a quilt square a few years ago and, recently, Rebecca was invited to design a square in memory of Ryan. Such a blessing knowing others quality of life improves by receiving organ donations.
Ryan, you are missed!
Hi Mrs. Rhoades! It’s been so, so long. I wanted to reach out, in hopes this brings you some form of comfort. Ryan came to me in a dream last night. We were in a classroom and had to move desks and him and I sat next to each other and just having fun, being silly and not paying attention to class. Of course he was being his goofy self. It was a great dream and I wanted to share.
This memory came up on facebook today and Ryan "liked" it…. from February 10, 2015:
"The hopeful stare up the steps. The faithful step up the steps" Ann Voskamp
That is amazing and wonderful! How very special! God is using your deep and painful loss for His glory! Thank you SO much for sharing!
So amazing how God is sending these people to encourage you to persevere in your loss of Ryan.
The above note was found at Ryan Rhoades Memorial Spot. Here’s what it says:
Hello my brother, I and we, have come to thank you for all you have done for us. And even though we never met in your natural former life here on Earth, we have come to know each other here, in this spot. Years ago as I wandered I was brought to this location by a thought, call it a vibe, or a feeling of some safety here now.
Psalm 39:5 “Look, you make my days short-lived,
and my life span is nothing from your perspective.
Surely all people, even those who seem secure, are nothing but vapor.” Selah
LOVE seeing how God is working at Ryan’s memorial spot.
Merry Christmas. Hope you have a great holiday. Was thinking about Ryan yesterday. Went to a concert in Tucson last night.
Ryan, You are never forgotten! Love, Mom
Over 600 Bibles taken to date!
I shared the "Free Bible" ministry at Ryan’s Spot in Christ Community Church.
You are loved <3
Ryan, you are forever in my heart.
"That game sold me the entire seat, but I only needed the edge of it!" That was one of my favorite Ryan Rhoades jokes by the way. Cracked me up the first time he said it.
Every time sublime comes on
It’s still surreal even though it has been a small bit of time, I wish it never happened. Just quoted him literally 20min ago, laughed our asses off, I think of Ryan often, he is still so close to our hearts.
It still feels like he’s here everyday. Hard to believe he’s gone
Had an awesome day today. Sat down at the bar by myself and after a few beers, threw Badfish – Sublime on the jukebox for us. Thanks for hanging with me on this regular ass Tuesday. Love you bro
Happy 29th Birthday Ryan!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER!!! Words can’t describe how much I MISS and LOVE you!!! I’ll never forget the good memories we had. I think about you every day! LITERALLY!! You are never forgotten and never will be. You are loved and always will be!! You are forever missed and always will be!! You’re the reason I am who I am today. Thank you for everything you’ve done for this world!! God bless you and your family!! I love you so much Ryan!!! Forever and ever!!! <3 <3 <3
Ryan = never forgotten
"I love my big sister!"
Ryan – forever in my heart!