HUNT, TX — The peaceful landscape of the Texas Hill Country was torn apart on July 4, 2025, as catastrophic flash flooding swept through Kerr County, claiming the lives of at least 13 people and leaving more than 20 still missing. Among the victims was Jane Ragsdale, the 69-year-old director of Heart O’ the Hills Camp, a cherished figure in the world of youth summer programs and a lifelong champion for girls’ leadership and personal growth.
Ragsdale’s death has sent waves of grief through the community of Hunt, Texas, and far beyond. Known for her boundless energy, compassion, and fierce dedication, Jane was more than a camp director—she was a mentor, a builder of tradition, and the heart of a multi-generational family built along the banks of the Guadalupe River.
Her journey with Heart O’ the Hills began in the 1970s as a young camper. What started as a summer experience blossomed into a lifelong calling. She returned year after year—first as a counselor, then a program leader, and by 1976, a co-owner of the camp. In 1988, she became director, a role she held with grace, leadership, and love for nearly four decades.
Under Jane’s guidance, Heart O’ the Hills Camp became a haven for thousands of young girls seeking confidence, community, and connection. Her vision turned the camp into a legacy of strength and sisterhood, rooted in tradition and nature. Campers recall her as warm, wise, and deeply invested in their growth—someone who knew every name, every story, and every heart under her care.
In a public tribute, a spokesperson for the camp shared:
“Jane was the embodiment of what Heart stands for—tradition, strength, and the power of girls to lead with kindness and courage. Her presence will never be replaced, but her spirit will live on in every song sung and every camper who finds her voice here.”
Jane Ragsdale’s loss is part of a broader disaster that has devastated the region. Rescue operations continue across Kerr County, involving emergency personnel, local volunteers, and search helicopters scouring the flooded riverbanks for survivors. Roads remain closed, and communities throughout the Hill Country are rallying to support those affected.
Tributes to Jane have poured in across Texas and beyond—from former campers and counselors to fellow camp directors, community leaders, and families whose lives were forever changed by her nurturing influence. Plans to honor her life and legacy are expected to be announced in the coming days.
As the community mourns, the name Jane Ragsdale will forever echo through the trees of Heart O’ the Hills, in every campfire story, every friendship formed, and every girl who grows stronger because of the roots she planted.
May she rest in peace—surrounded by the river and the hills she called home.