Chad Ryan Christian was welcomed into Heaven on March 25, 2024, at the young age of 37. He loved people and made a lasting impact on all who knew him.

Ryan was born on January 26,1987, in Huntsville, AL.  He was second born in a family of five siblings. His relationship with his brothers and sisters was inspiring – the love and closeness was unrivaled. He wanted to share in their experiences, encourage their successes, and provide support and insight into each of their lives at every opportunity. Throughout the years Ryan was often pivotal to many special memories, including guarding little sisters who wanted to "camp outside" but didn't want to be alone, spending the day following points on a topographic map and learning orienteering with his older brother, and traveling the world with his wife, mother, sisters, and younger brother.

He was home educated from kindergarten until attending college. Ryan studied piano from the age of seven through high school. He was an accomplished pianist playing at many family, school, and church events.

From a young age he loved to win. From sports and combat, to hunting and fishing, and debating at national-level tournaments, he studied strategies and practiced endlessly to master a skill no matter how great or small.

Ryan met his future wife Rachel through a mutual tutor when they were 14 and 15 years old.

The tutor, Mrs. Bond, held weekly French lessons at her home, which both of them attended.

Rachel recalls that Ryan was always very handsome. She admired how smart he was, and his natural and genuine charisma.

All through-out high-school they kept intersecting, but never dated.

During Christmas 2009 Ryan came back to Huntsville from Tuscaloosa. One night, Ryan and Rachel happened to be at the same mutual friend's Christmas party.

Rachel left the Christmas party thinking nothing. But Ryan left the Christmas party determined.

For the next several weeks Ryan pursued Rachel, who was dating someone else.

Ryan's natural need to win something important to him kicked in. And he informed Rachel that if she went on a New Year's eve trip with her then boyfriend (as she was planning on doing!) he would ask out the next girl that walked by. This conversation happened in the Anthropologie at Bridge Street. Rachel had been there shopping, and Ryan wanted to meet up.

Rachel could tell he was not kidding, and the years of building a friendship was the foundation she needed to take him seriously. She knew he loved her and she loved him.

That weekend they both broke up with the people they were dating, and got married a few months later in 2010. They've been inseparable ever since.

Ryan also volunteered for community and government events. After high school graduation he interned for a Senator in Washington DC the summer before going to college.

Ryan attended the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa with a full business scholarship. He quickly realized aspirations to serve his country and was awarded a full ROTC scholarship as well. During college, Ryan stayed busy by volunteering at community events and working part time jobs as a bouncer and bar tender. He loved meeting new people and was always welcomed into their lives.

After college graduation, Ryan was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the United States Army.

Ryan's first duty station was in Germany. There he enjoyed the culture and, of course, the people. He attended local churches, enjoyed local food, and celebrated local culture while wearing the traditional Bavarian Lederhosen every Oktoberfest. During leave, he traveled to Pamplona, Spain with close friends. Never just a spectator, Ryan immersed fully in the traditions of every country he visited and ran with the bulls. It was also during this time that he planned and guided a trip to France for his mom and younger siblings to tour Paris and the surrounding countryside.

In all Ryan and Rachel visited 35 countries together while living in Europe.

While stationed in Germany Ryan deployed to Afghanistan as the Platoon Commander of a rapid response team. During each of his assignments during this combat deployment, he consistently earned unwavering respect from his men.

He is a recipient of the Bronze Star, a Combat Action Badge, five Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, the Humanitarian Service Medal, along with numerous other badges. He never talked about these awards; they were not important to him. However, the incredible actions and sacrifices these awards represented for both him and his soldiers were never far from his thoughts.

Several years later Ryan was selected for the Army's Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) and was accepted into Vanderbilt Law School in Nashville, TN. After graduation, he served in the JAG Corps as a prosecutor and an advisor to commanders on disciplinary and regulatory compliance matters.

After discharging from the Army, Ryan joined Bradley Law Firm as an adviser in the areas of corporate and securities law, government contracts, intellectual property, and technology issues.

Ryan was an avid and skilled outdoorsman. He enjoyed and highly excelled at fishing and hunting.  Most recently, he began competing in the sport of darts and, as with most of Ryan's accomplishments, became proficient. Over the past year he had been participating and consistently winning in local tournaments and at non-local, semi-professional competitions.

Ryan had a calming effect on those around him; he had a powerful and charismatic presence with a confidence that drew others in and made them feel at ease and valued. Children ran to him unprompted and quietly fell asleep in his arms. His all-encompassing hug, usually tempered with witty humor, could brighten any trouble time. As a leader, he commanded with an ease and intellect that inspired confidence from his soldiers and success as the outcome.

He had the unique ability to transform a mundane gathering into a celebration. He loved deeply and was always ready to quietly help others, never expecting reward, recognition, or reciprocation.

His memory will be cherished and his presence deeply missed by those that knew him. His mother and father could not be more proud of him or blessed to have been his parents.

He leaves behind his wife Rachel, his parents Robert and Marsha Christian (Huntsville, AL), brother Alan Christian (Kristin) (Huntsville, AL), brother Tanner Christian (Claire) (Huntsville, AL), sister Amanda Evans (John) (Huntsville, AL), sister Whitney Huynh (Huy) (Huntsville, AL), nephews Matthew, Malachi and Henry, nieces Allie, Eleanor, Emily, Diana and Vivienne, his grandmother Judith Christian Moon (Huntsville, AL), as well as many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.

Ryan is preceded by his maternal grandparents, Thomas and Elizabeth Allison (Huntsville, AL), his paternal grandfather, David Christian Jr. (Huntsville, AL).

Visitation for Mr. Christian will be held Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Berryhill Funeral Home from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm.  A funeral service will follow in the chapel at 1:00 pm.  A committal service will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama at 12:30 pm with full military honors to be rendered by the United States Army.

Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting the family.