Ryan Baxter Heffernan

August 19, 1988 - August 4, 2022
Ryan Baxter Heffernan

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Ryan Baxter Heffernan, of Leland, N.C., passed away on August 4, 2022, completing his journey of 33 years.

Ryan was born in Mount Kisco, N.Y. on August 19, 1988 and moved to Wilmington, N.C. at the age of 3. He was a 2006 graduate of Hoggard High School and went on to graduate in 2010 from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Ryan was the ultimate adventure seeker and nature admirer. He spent a month in New Zealand and Fiji, where he helped with an environmental renourishment project, bungee jumped and white-water rafted.

Ryan served as an AmeriCorps VISTA in the Campus Compact program at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He hiked the entire Appalachian Trail on his own, from Georgia to Maine, in 6 months. He was also an avid skydiver, earning the U.S. Parachute Association’s ‘A’ license, which allowed him to jump solo.

Ryan is lovingly remembered by his parents, Douglas and Diane, of Leland, N.C., and his brother and sister-in-law, Tyler and Ashley, of Charleston, S.C. Ryan is also survived by his great uncle Henry and aunt Sarah, great aunt Felicie, uncle Lloyd, aunt Joan, aunt Michelle, aunt Valerie, uncle Al, and his cousins: Danny (Lindsay), Alison (John), Drew, John (Ashley), Melissa (Justin), Chris, Kristen (James), and Lauren (Jason).

He was preceded in death by grandparents Charles and Alice and Pat and Barbara, uncle Jay, and cousin Lisa.

Ryan will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and everyone who knew him.

A time of visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 13, with a celebration of life and time to share memories at 11:00 a.m., at the Wilmington Funeral Chapel, located at 1535 South 41st Street, Wilmington, N.C. 28403.

Ryan’s service will also be live-streamed. To view the stream CLICK HERE.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy or to any of the U.S. Parachute Association’s four established funds.

Share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Condolence”
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Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099.




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  • August 09, 2022
    Lori Mosher lit a candle:
    Lit since August 9, 2022 at 8:46:10 AM

  • August 09, 2022
    Ira Vaupen says:
    With deepest sorrow and and heartfelt sympathy for your loss, Diane and Douglas.

  • August 09, 2022
    Cathy says:
    My sincere sympathies to you and your family Diane. I’m so very sorry for your loss. My prayers for peace and comfort are being said on your behalf. Know that you are loved and others are mourning with you. God bless you all. With much love, Cathy Wilson

  • August 09, 2022
    Kim Hoffman lit a candle:
    Lit since August 9, 2022 at 8:24:32 AM

  • August 08, 2022
    James A Turner says:
    Our condolences to the Heffernan family in the loss of Ryan. You are in our prayers. Jim & Gina Turner