Pulling for Tug Captain Ryan Plumbley's Family

Hi my name is Dan Johnson. I'm a retired Coast Guard veteran. During my career, I've rescued and saved many lives. Recently, there's one life I could not save. His name is Ryan Plumbley.

Ryan is my step-daughter's husband; and as she so eloquently states it, there's no "step" when nurturing, caring and love is involved! So in that perfect sense, Ryan is my son-in-law! He died last week after a long, hard fought battle with cancer; except it wasn’t the cancer that took him. Unbeknownst to anyone, doctors included, he had contracted a staph infection which migrated to his lungs causing pneumonia, pleurisy and finally sepsis. It was all just too much for his body, but Ryan no longer suffers. Sadly, he is no longer with us, he no longer needs to be saved. However, his wife and two young daughters need to be rescued.

It is in his memory, and through their need that I am compelled to initiate this worthy cause.

Ryan's story:

In September of 2020, Tug Master, Captain Ryan Plumbley was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-small cell adenocarcinoma lung cancer. Initially given 14 months to survive, he beat the odds. He beat every single "average" the docs laid out. He was forced to endure numerous types of chemo and radiation treatments because cancer is smart and adapts. Through sheer strength, determination and a zest for life, Ryan continued to work for the company that gave him so much pride and joy, a livelihood for him and his family, and a deep sense of purpose, Moran Towing Corporation in Savannah Georgia.

He had to take time off to heal between his numerous rounds of treatment but he loved both his profession and his family so much, that he wanted to continue for as long as he was able to. Unfortunately, Ryan's cancer metastasized into small cell cancer, a more aggressive, faster cancer that replicates so fast that the cells never get big, they stay small. Last March he learned his cancer had spread even more. He tried to lift the back glass window on his truck and suffered a fracture in his left arm because the cancer had expanded so rapidly in his bones that it basically ate away the bone density from the inside out.

Scans in December were pretty much the same as the prior ones (which is technically good when dealing with cancer) but then suddenly this year scans revealed the cancer had spread to his brain.

The week prior to his passing, Ryan completed 10 rounds of brain radiation including 5 rounds on his arm, trying to shrink it and reduce inflammation before the chemo was to start back up.

There was major concern about combining this type of chemo and radiation as it could cause brain damage so chemo was postponed until April 18, 2023. A cough developed right before radiation started and Doctors said it was likely from the affected lymph nodes in his lungs. Ryan’s ability to breathe slowly got worse to where he couldn't walk 5 feet without losing his breath, his heart rate spiked to dangerous levels and his oxygen saturation plummeted. Ryan's wife, Heather, who has been his best, strongest advocate throughout his battle with cancer, had enough of him suffering and fighting through it, so she rushed him to the emergency room.

He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and intubated because all other options had been tried and failed to provide him the oxygen necessary to get him stable enough to address the other urgent issues.

Sadly, after more than two and a half years of valiantly fighting his battle with cancer, Ryan succumbed to this devastating illness. He "crossed the bar"; a metaphor meaning "crossing the sandbar” out to sea, transitioning from life to death.

Ryan leaves behind a beautiful family. His wife Heather, two young daughters Ryleigh, 8, and Naiya, 15, his mother and step-father, Mary Jane and Andy, and his biological father Craig, and numerous family, friends, and co-workers (who were more like a second family)whom he loved.

Ryan's passion for the great outdoors, especially everything related to "being out on the water" was known by all.

On April 5th 2022, he was recognized by Moran Towing Corporation for 15 years of dedicated service in the marine industry he loved.

He was a skilled, professional mariner working through his trade from Deckhand to Engineer to Mate and finally Captain, setting a fine example for all to follow. He was respected by all who had the pleasure of working with him.

Ryan was a soft spoken, knowledgeable communicator. A true southern gentleman. It is only fitting he worked on tugs, where communicating is essential to success. Harbor tugs communicate through horns, toots and whistles. They have long been a key means of communication between vessels. Important messages such as "I am passing on the starboard" can be sent with a single whistle blow to avoid collisions.

According to one 1903 New York Sun newspaper article, A code of whistle blows were also used by a Red Hook tug boat captain, that signalled to his wife that “I'll be home soon".

Ryan no longer suffers. He is safe. While his mission is complete, he will no longer be home. His family will feel his absence for the rest of their lives.

It is in this spirit that I've created this Go Fund Me page in honor of Ryan for his family.

Heather is a loving, nurturing wife and mother.

She gave up her profession as a paralegal to initially help raise their girls and subsequently to help Ryan through his journey battling cancer. With all the costs associated with Ryan's passing, such as accumulated medical bills, mortgage payments, and unknown future living expenses, she is, of course, planning to go back to work. However, most of these expenses will not wait the time necessary to allow her to grieve, gain employment and ensure their daughters are handling the loss of their father in a healthy way.

Donations received would be a huge help to keep a roof over their heads.

A goal of $100,000 would be used specifically for:

$80,000 is the remaining balance on their home mortgage. To be able to pay their home off would allow Heather a huge relief to focus her single parent income towards their daily costs for living, monthly family medical insurance coverages, and saving for her children’s future education.

$20,000 would help with immediate home repairs that Ryan was hoping to accomplish but was unable to complete due to his sickness. Their home needs a new roof, and the trees on their property are in dire need of pruning before the next hurricane season as they are in danger of falling directly onto the house and specifically onto the girls’ bedrooms!

You can help rescue Ryan's family!

PLEASE GIVE what you can safely afford to. Understandably, times are difficult for many of us. If you are in a position to help then any amount would go a long way. No donation is too small.

SHARE Ryan's story on social media!

E-MAIL or TEXT this page to your family and friends, or others you feel could help!

Thank you for sharing Ryan’s story. Thank you for donating to his cause! He was a good, respectful, honorable man worthy of your compassion!

With Gratitude and Love on behalf of Ryan and his family,

Dan Johnson, QMC, USCG (Ret)