Ryan Keith Haynes

August 17, 1986 – October 3, 2023

Ryan Keith Haynes, age 37, departed this life on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, in a work-related accident in Orange County, Florida. Ryan was born August 17, 1986, in Radford, Virginia and is the son of Kaye Jones Gardner and Roy Haynes. He grew up in the heart of the New River Valley alongside his best friend and brother, Logan Haynes.

Ryan attended Pulaski County High School and Auburn High School. He was a junior firefighter for the Riner Volunteer Fire Department. In the years following, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served for nine years as an ammunition specialist. He is a veteran of the War on Terrorism and spent tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. His time of service took him to many places, but his favorite post was in Savannah, Georgia at Fort Stewart. After his discharge from service, Ryan enjoyed working in the construction industry where his talents, skills, and incredible work ethic shined. He was employed as an project manager at Concrete Impressions of Florida, Inc.

When Ryan was born, no one could imagine how the chunky baby boy would someday grow to be a towering, lanky man who gave a hug like he meant it. He was an extraordinary prankster, a special talent he honed over the years. He bestowed his jokes as a sign of his love and affection for people.

Ryan enjoyed watching NASCAR in his youth. As a boy, he pulled for fellow redhead, Bill Elliot. His passions for cars and racing led him to create his own adventures on the track. Ryan raced in the U-Car series at the Motor Mile Speedway in Fairlawn, Virginia. In February 2023, he also built his own car in two weeks and raced the #87 at the Scrambler 25 in Auburndale, Florida where he finished eighth the first time out.

At the time of his passing, he was an avid supporter of and Captain for the Okeechobee High School Bass Club. This was a role that combined his willingness to serve others with his love for fishing.

He was a Virginia Tech Hokies and Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan. He is remembered by some as the best griller of chicken wings on earth. He enjoyed bowhunting. Whether it was in his beloved mountains of Virginia or the swamplands of Florida, he was most at home in nature. Ryan adored his animals. Children were drawn to him because he made them feel special and safe. He made people laugh.

But above all, Ryan fiercely loved his family and friends. We thank him for all the laughs, the smiles and the hugs. Ryan simply loved big.

He is survived by his mother, Kaye and father, Roy; brother, Dr. Logan Haynes and his wife Eliza; special friends, Cristen, Korbyn and Bryson; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family. He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, H. B. Haynes and Helen Durrow Groves; and maternal grandparents, Levi S. and Emily Porterfield Jones.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Okeechobee High School Bass Club, 2800 Highway 441 North, Okeechobee, FL 34972.

The family will receive friends from 10 am until 12 pm on Friday, October 13, 2023, at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. Funeral services will begin at 12 p.m. with Pastor Curt McKee officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, Virginia.

The Haynes family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford, Virginia. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com