Ryan A. Barbour

Ryan A. Barbour, 35, of Newport, North Carolina and Painesville, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 15, 2023, at his home in Ohio.

His memorial service will be held at 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 13th at Munden Funeral Home in Morehead City, NC, officiated by Pastor Drew Guthrie. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.  (See the link below for the Service Bulletin.)

Ryan was born and raised in Newport and graduated from West Carteret High School. He attended his freshman year at NC State University in Raleigh, then returned to Newport where he worked at MCAS, Cherry Point for 5 years. He developed a strong interest in aviation and decided his calling was to be a pilot. He attended ATP Flight School in Clearwater, Florida, then became a flight instructor at the school to gain flight hours needed for his commercial pilot's license. His first job after receiving his certificate was with an air ambulance service based in Florida. He started as a first seat or co-pilot then advanced to captain, flying Lear jets internationally to 46 different countries around the world.

While Ryan loved the experience of flying internationally, his ultimate goal was to return to his home state of North Carolina. Ryan realized that goal when he took his position, also becoming a captain, with Flex Jet, a private jet company based in Cleveland, Ohio. He was able to reside in Newport and fly out of Raleigh for his work rotations. Last year, due to health concerns, Ryan took a position with Flex Jet at their corporate office in Cleveland and became a Flight Operations Supervisor.

Besides Ryan's passion for flying, he loved all outdoor activities since childhood including hunting, fishing, and boating.

Ryan would consider his close friendships as one of his best assets. He strived to be someone who could be counted on to celebrate the good times and provide support during tough times. He would feel his friends made him smile brighter, laugh louder and live better.

Ryan is survived by his parents, John and Patty Barbour of Newport; brother, Robby Barbour and wife Amanda of Wilmington, NC, and their children, Natalie and Kai; his paternal grandmother, Janice Gulledge of Newport; and aunts, uncles, and cousins in both North Carolina and Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ryan's memory to the Epilepsy Foundation of North Carolina, 1920 W 1st St, Winston-Salem, NC 27104.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.