Ryan Michael Callaway

Ryan Michael Callaway, aged 33, of Lenoir, died Thursday, November 6th, 2025. He was born June 10th, 1992 to Michael and Lisa Callaway of Lenoir. Ryan was a resident of Caldwell County all of his life, loved it here, and desired to move to no other place. He attended Hibriten High School, graduated in 2010, and the highlight of his high school career was playing football for the Hibriten Panthers. The players on that team were a very special group of young men and the comradery that they held for one another was unprecedented. All of his team members held a special place in his heart.

Ryan also loved fishing and hunting and just spending time in the great outdoors. Fishing was his favorite pastime and you could often find him catching fish two at a time from the surf at Oak Island. He also enjoyed fly-fishing up on Elk Creek.

Ryan had worked in construction, electrical, warehouse, and later transportation. He could build or fix anything that was broken and his construction skills were impeccable. He really enjoyed his last job and looked forward to going to work. Ryan spoke often of Jose who helped him learn the ropes and was considered a mentor and friend to him.

Ryan was a loving soul who never met a stranger. He was always cutting up and making everyone smile. He was a wonderful son, brother, and uncle to his nieces Adah and Evelyn whom he absolutely adored. He also loved his Red Heeler “Dixie”. He leaves behind many family members including cousins that were more like brothers and sisters to him. Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Michael and Lisa Callaway; his sister, Lindsay Wright (Matthew), and nieces Adah and Evelyn Wright. Aunts and uncles include: Chris and Elizabeth Callaway, Kirk and Judith Melton, David and Angie Shoun, Jonathan Shoun, Yvette Huffman, and Tonia Maltba; and great aunts and uncles Greg and Elizabeth Gevik, Tommy and Lillie Ruth Melton, Otis and Norma Duffey, John and Doris Duffey, and Mike and Darlene Duffey. Cousins include Amanda Abernathy (Chad), Kailey and Gage; Kyle Melton; Jerrod Melton (Kenny), Sophia, Veronica, Steele, Julianna, and Samuel; Noah Shoun (Jennifer); and Michael Melton.

Ryan was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Jack and Nancy Story, and Jerry Shoun of Hudson; his paternal grandparents Charles and Jan Callaway of Lenoir; and cousins Jamie Woods and Josh Tolbert.

Ryan’s passing will forever leave a void in our hearts that only God’s Grace can heal. We loved him dearly and were so thankful for the time that God allowed us to spend with him. He would not want any of us to be sad but our hearts are broken and we will miss him forever. We wanted to share a verse of hope out of Ryan’s last journal entry: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13.

Until we meet again.…we love you RyRy!

Funeral services will be held at Zacks Fork Baptist Church in Lenoir on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025. The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 1:30 PM with the funeral following at 1:30 PM. Burial will immediately follow the service in the church cemetery. Pallbearers include Mike Callaway, David Shoun, Kyle Melton, Kirk Melton, Jerrod Melton, and Zach Hood. Honorary pallbearers are Jonathan Shoun, Noah Shoun, Matthew Wright, and Gage Royal.

We would like to sincerely thank our friends and family for all of the calls, visits, food, and love provided during this time. Also, a very special thank you to Lt. Bumgarner and Sgt. January from Lenoir PD for their unwavering compassion, love, and support during this very difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Zacks Fork Baptist Church or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Evans Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Ryan Michael Callaway.