In July this year, we shared with you the admirable story of Navy SEAL Ryan Job and his adventures, despite the challenges that beset him after sustaining injuries while in the line of duty. We talked about how Job is now completely blind after taking a bullet in the eye in Iraq. This fact, however, did not stop him from conquering Mount Rainier and helping a fellow wounded soldier, Special Ops Mario Barragan, in the latter’s quest to duplicate Job’s feat.

It is therefore with a heavy heart that we received news of Job’s passing. Reader S.F.HKALL left a message last September 30 regarding his death, expressing sadness and remembering Job as a “great role model”.

According to a feature in the Arizona Republic, Job was at the hospital for reconstructive surgery. Probably out of respect for the privacy of Job and his family, the hospital has not discussed or released the actual cause of death.

Among Ryan Job’s accomplishments since being rendered completely blind, aside from conquering Mount Rainier, is earning a bachelor’s degree and marrying “the woman of his dreams”. With his untimely death, he leaves behind his wife Kelly, who is carrying their first child.

A funeral service honoring and remembering Ryan Job was held on Thursday at the Scottsdale Bible Church. Bob Vera, a friend of Ryan’s, recounts memories he shared with Job, including the fact that one of his goals was to complete his bachelor’s degree with a 4.0 grade-point average. True to form, Job conquered all yet again as he accomplished just that, having turned in his final college assignment the Sunday before his death.

Another friend, Leif Babin, recounted Job’s resilience; Babin was with Job when the latter sustained the sniper wound that left him completely blind for life. Through it all, Job reportedly squarely said that he was going to be okay.

Ryan Job passed away last September 24 at the Maricopa Medical Center. He was 28.