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Ryan Markert

@riiiine_m

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Married, father of 5, learning to breathe again while missing our son, Jackson🎗💔
🙏🏼God
💙Family
🎸 Music
💪🏼 Fitness
#markertstrong
📍Texas, USA

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In the very early hours of yesterday morning, Jackson became completely unresponsive as his liver is failing to remove toxins from his body. We have not left his side and continue to talk to him, pray with him, and tell him how loved he is.

Somehow Lindsay and I were able to fall asleep for a couple of hours last night as we sat beside Jackson. A couple of days ago, someone from the child life department here at the hospital found out that Jackson and I liked to play music together, so they brought a toy guitar to our room and said it was all they had to spare but we could keep it as long as we were here. I woke up around 3am and saw that his heart rate was slightly elevated, so I grabbed that toy guitar and started playing and humming to him. When he was little, he used to love watching me play and would always try to play or sing along with me…. I recorded this moment to keep for myself, not intending to share it. But decided that no matter how bittersweet it will be, I want to be reminded of this moment this time each year on my social media memories.

I would give up all of my worldly possessions right now just to have him wake up and hum along with me, tell me to stop playing, or anything else at all. Lord please wrap your arms around my baby boy, hold him tight, and comfort him.

Please continue to pray for Jackson 🙏🏼 taken in UT MD Anderson Cancer Center by @riiiine_m

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5 years ago

As a parent, I can’t think of anything scarier than finding out your child has cancer. When Jackson was 2, we were faced with that fear. After multiple rounds of chemo, several surgeries, and weeks of radiation therapy we heard the words we were waiting for. “Your son is now in remission.”

We were finally able to get back to a normal life (whatever that means anymore) and our kid could be a kid again. No more filling his little body full of drugs, no more exposure to high doses of radiation, no more cutting into him to remove tumors then try to put him back together again. Praise the Lord! Last year we made it to 10 years of Jackson being in remission!

This year he did not make it to 11 years.

Last week we found out that Jackson’s cancer is back. It’s hard to put thoughts together right now, let alone try to put those thoughts to words and explain how we are feeling. This was something that was so far in our rear view mirror that it wasn’t even on our mind as something that we/he would ever have to endure again.

He will have surgery to install a chemo port and will start treatments tomorrow. We know we have a long road ahead of us but also know that we are not alone. Right now we are trying to be faithful in God’s promises and ask that you keep Jackson’s physical and mental health in your prayers as he fights to kick cancer’s butt once again 🥊 taken in Waxahachie, Texas by @riiiine_m

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5 years ago

Our beautiful boy left this earth last night at 11:57. Jackson fought so incredibly hard this last year, exuding extraordinary courage, endless love, and inspiring endurance. We are shattered beyond belief but we find solace in knowing he's not in pain anymore and we have an extremely deep gratitude that we were entrusted to be his parents for 14.5 years. We are just so proud to call him ours. Heaven just gained the BEST angel, a new resident sports statistician, an official baby holder, and wiffle ball game organizer. We are confident that an army of angels were lined up to greet him, particularly some very giddy great grandparents.

Please pray for our family in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. It seems impossible that this is real. Breathing hurts. Imagining all of our tomorrows without him is physically crushing.

We truly appreciate all of the prayers and support for Jackson throughout this entire process. You all made Jackson feel so loved. taken in Waxahachie, Texas by @riiiine_m

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5 years ago

If I could go back in time and tell these two what the next 22 years has in store for them, I think I would just tell them, “congratulations, you both chose right”.
Happy 22 🥂❤️ by @riiiine_m

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a month ago

For years, Lindsay and I saved with the dream of one day putting in a pool. I wish we could have done it while Jackson was here, but I treasure the backyard memories we did create.

This past Christmas, we told our four youngest kids we were finally building a pool. They were thrilled, even knowing it meant no vacations this year.

After asking around, we chose Bright Pools in Midlothian, TX, owned by Justin Bright. He seemed genuine, family‑oriented, and walked us through the process. In March, we signed the contract — pool completion in ~60 days, just in time for summer — and paid 60% upfront.

The first month, almost nothing happened. Then workers dug the hole, and progress stalled again. Justin kept reassuring us everything was on track.

By June, we met to discuss changes. I asked directly if we should worry; he promised the pool would be done by the end of June and that his business was solid. Soon after, he requested the final payment. Against my hesitation, we paid.

I regretted it immediately.

Communication slowed, work became sporadic, and Justin began sharing personal struggles. I stayed patient, respectful, and even shared our story about Jackson. By July, he stopped responding to me — then to Lindsay. Now, his phone is disconnected.

We’re left with a half‑finished pool, an unusable backyard, and a summer our kids mostly spent inside. School starts tomorrow, and I feel like I failed my family for trusting his promises.

Since then, we’ve learned subcontractors are unpaid, other homeowners are facing similar situations, and there may be lawsuits against Bright Pools.

If anyone can recommend someone to finish our pool — or a good lawyer — we’d appreciate it. Sharing this is hard, but if it saves another family from this experience, it’s worth it. taken in Waxahachie, Texas by @riiiine_m

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2 months ago

Some nights as I’m drifting off to sleep, my thoughts take me to an alternate universe where Jackson is still alive and well — and for a moment, I get to see all the hopes and dreams that cancer stole from him… and from us, four years ago.

In that universe, my life feels whole again.
Instead of asking AI to show me what he might look like today, I get to see his handsome, smiling face.
Instead of placing a memorial bench at his elementary school, I get to watch him walk across the stage at his high school graduation.

In some ways, that world feels more real than the one I wake up to.

Even four years later, it’s still hard to believe he’s not here. I feel the echoes of his presence—especially around certain dates and missed milestones. And with this being the week he should be graduating, those echoes are ringing loud and clear.

#shouldbeaseniorsunday

I love you Jackson…
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#markertstrong #grief #childloss #cancersucks by @riiiine_m

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5 months ago

Congratulations to our 2026 Markert Strong recipients❤️ Kendra Jones, Ethan Guillen, Nolan Barnard❤️
Tonight marked the fourth year that we have awarded a scholarship in honor of Jackson. Prior to this year, we have always chosen the recipient as a family. However, since Jackson belongs to the Class of 2026, we knew there was absolutely zero chance we could be objective. We chose to outsource the decision process to protect the integrity of our organization and honestly, to protect our hearts. We are so grateful to the committee of local, trusted individuals for helping us with this. Out of our largest applicant pool yet, it feels extra meaningful that two of Jackson’s oldest and best friends were chosen along with a sweet girl who lost her brother last September. They are all so deserving on their own merit but it feels extra special that it worked out this way. It still doesn’t feel real that Jackson isn’t here to do all the things his peers are doing but we are so proud to honor him and his life. taken in Waxahachie High School by @riiiine_m

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5 months ago

#shouldbeaseniorsunday

I love you Jackson…
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#markertstrong #grief #childloss #cancersucks by @riiiine_m

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5 months ago

#shouldbeaseniorsunday

Another Easter without you here.

I love you Jackson…
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#markertstrong #childloss #grief #grieving by @riiiine_m

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6 months ago

Spring of 2016. Life is so different now 10 years later. Sometimes it feels like this was yesterday, then I blinked and he was gone.

#shouldbeaseniorsunday

I love you Jackson…
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#markertstrong #number11forever #grief #grieving by @riiiine_m

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7 months ago

Should be a #seniorsunday #2018 💔 by @riiiine_m

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8 months ago

It’s #seniorsunday and your graduation year just started. I can’t believe we’re starting another year without you here.
I love you Jackson…
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#markertstrong #number11forever #grief #grieving #childloss #cancersucks #bereavedparents #memories #jackson #sayhisname by @riiiine_m

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9 months ago