Ryan Pagoaga

Ryan “Ryno” Harold Pagoaga, 18, of Meridian, Idaho, passed away unexpectedly on August 27, 2026.

Ryan was born on January 17, 2008, in Boise, Idaho. He was a highly intelligent and deeply loved son, brother, boyfriend, and friend.

Throughout his life, Ryan was known for having a big heart. He genuinely cared about the people he loved and would often check in with his family to see how they were doing. When Ryan asked how someone was, he truly wanted to know the answer. His concern for his family was sincere, and he made sure the people he loved knew that he cared about them.

Ryan was funny, determined, and when he truly wanted something, there was very little that could stand in his way. He had a playful personality and a wonderful sense of humor. He was never afraid to make people laugh, even complete strangers. He would sometimes walk up to someone he had never met and ask them a funny or unexpected question simply to see how they would respond. It was one of the many ways Ryan brought laughter and joy to the people around him.

Ryan had an incredible curiosity about the world around him. He was always eager to learn something new, try something different, and understand how things worked. His interests could take him anywhere—from chemistry and learning how things work to dreaming about being one of the first people to travel to Mars. He was never afraid to explore a new interest or challenge himself with something he had never done before. There was always something new he wanted to discover, and his curiosity was a big part of what made Ryan who he was.

Ryan and his younger brother Dylan were just 14 months apart and were best friends throughout their lives. From the time Ryan was first able to speak, he had a special name for

his little brother, calling him “Baby Dee.” What began as a name Ryan gave Dylan as a toddler became a lifelong nickname that stayed with him.

They did almost everything together and shared many of the same passions, especially music and sports. Ryan played piano, bass guitar, saxophone, and ukulele, while Dylan played violin, guitar, and drums. Music was an important part of their lives and something they shared together. The brothers enjoyed performing music together at public venues, including Big Al’s, where they had the opportunity to share their music with others. They also shared a love of sports and many other activities, growing up side by side and creating countless memories, laughs, and experiences that Dylan and his family will carry with them forever.

Ryan also shared a special bond with his sisters, Jessica and Olivia. They each had a unique relationship with Ryan, and he loved them both dearly. His sisters were an important part of his life, and the bond they shared was one that continued throughout the years.

Ryan had a special love for music, especially the ukulele, which he had been playing since his early years in grade school. Music was a meaningful part of his life and one of the many ways he expressed his creativity. Although he never made it to Hawaii, Ryan once said he wouldn’t mind spending his life on a beach in Hawaii, playing his ukulele to anyone who wanted to listen.

One of Ryan’s biggest dreams was to become a commercial airline pilot. He was actively working toward that dream and was in the process of securing the funds he needed to attend flight school. He had recently taken a discovery flight, and after landing, he told his younger brother Dylan that it was “the greatest high I have ever felt.” His excitement and determination reflected how deeply he pursued the things he loved.

Ryan had just completed his GED in May 2026. He performed exceptionally well on each of his subject tests, scoring high enough in every subject to earn college credit. He was proud of this accomplishment and excited to continue working toward his future goals.

Ryan was also a YouTuber, a talented cook, and an avid baseball player and wrestler. In middle school, he started his own YouTube channel, which he called Ryno Bakes, where he shared his cooking skills while creating some of his favorite meals. The channel showcased Ryan’s ability to have fun, his wonderful sense of humor, and his natural ability to bring joy to the people who watched him.

Ryan loved baseball and played from a young age through middle school. He especially loved pitching and hitting the baseball. When he was young, he dreamed of one day playing professional baseball for his favorite team, the Chicago Cubs. He also wrestled for the Meridian Middle School wrestling team, where he enjoyed the challenge and camaraderie that came with the sport.

Ryan was also an avid snowboarder and enjoyed spending time at Bogus Basin. He would often buy a season pass so he could spend time on the mountain doing something he loved. He also loved fishing and spending time outdoors, enjoying the opportunity to be outside, explore, and experience the world around him. Ryan also enjoyed hunting with his grandfather, and on his very first hunting trip, he was able to get his first deer. He was

incredibly excited and proudly field-dressed the deer himself. He saved the pelt and even worked on tanning the hide himself, taking pride in learning how to do it on his own.

Ryan was also a wonderful Tio (uncle) to his three beautiful nieces and his nephew. He loved playing with them, running around with them, and making them laugh. In his playful way, Ryan called himself “Tah, tah, tah… Tio” in order to get them to laugh.

Ryan is survived by his father, Kenneth C. Pagoaga, and his mother, Deborah Pagoaga; his younger brother and best friend, Dylan; his sisters, Jessica Gregg (D.J. Ferry) and Olivia DeSeranno (Nate); and his beloved girlfriend, Chloe AnneMarie Chapman, who held a special place in his heart.

He is also survived by his grandparents, Karen and David Smith; Tim and Holly Pagoaga; and Pat and Kathy Lass; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and loved ones who will miss him deeply.