Rylee Stewart Chilcote

Rylee Stewart Chilcote died on February 3, 2025 after sustaining fatal injuries from a car accident four days prior. It is impossible to sum up everything that Rylee was on paper. He is more than we could ever convey with words, but we have to start somewhere. First and foremost, he was a son, brought into this world by Sean and Sharla who loved him with all of their hearts. He was a brother to Sharissa, Brayden, and Ashton, who were the companions of his childhood. He was a friend to many. He was an adored grandson, nephew, and cousin. He was an uncle who played tirelessly with all of his nieces and nephews. Then he met the love of his life, Maran, whom he married and loved and cared for until the very end.

When describing Rylee, one of the first things we think of is his humor. His dad often said, “Don’t believe the first three things that come out of Rylee’s mouth.” He had a sharp wit, a contagious laugh, and an impish smirk that usually gave away any ruse he was trying to get past you. This wit served him well and got him out of many tight spots and awkward situations with a perfectly timed one-liner.

There are, of course, titles and accomplishments. His earliest title was “Smiley Rylee,” given to him by his family and tells so much about his joyful nature. Then there was “The World’s Okayest Runner,” which was self-given and printed on a T-shirt which he wore to the many marathons in which he ran. We also feel like we must mention “The World’s Sexiest Man,” which was awarded to him aboard a Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship in 2018.

When it came to hobbies and talents, Rylee had many. One might even say he was a collector of hobbies. He fit more experiences into his 28 years than most people do in a lifetime. He loved the outdoors and was an amazing water skier, rock climber, snow boarder, runner, hiker, mountain biker, and cliff jumper. He taught himself photography and carpentry and built most the furniture in his home. He was an avid reader, an accomplished musician, and a world-class napper. Rylee could fall asleep anywhere - the bleachers during a track meet, in the middle of the floor at a party, or halfway up a staircase (all documented).

Perhaps all of these hobbies and abilities came from his constant curiosity and thirst for knowledge. Rylee wanted to understand everything. He was humble, asked deep questions, and then thoughtfully considered the answers. He observed the world and the people around him without judgement or criticism. He was aware of their pain and suffering. This quality served him well as he studied and became a nurse in the Emergency Department and later in the Intensive Care Unit. He was passionate about advocating for the best care for his patients. His ability to stay calm, focused, and attuned to the needs of others made it possible for him to take care of people in their greatest time of need. His care for others continues on through his organ donations as Rylee was able to give the gift of life to four people.

Rylee had a gift of being able to connect with people. When he was with you, he gave you his complete attention. He grew up in a family who loved being together. Between camping trips, boating at Lake Powell, and family dinners, Rylee developed close friendships with his siblings and their spouses into adulthood. When he met Maran, she became the light of his life. They married in 2019 and spent their six years together working side by side as nurses. Because they worked and traveled together, they shared a compatibility that was evident to everyone who knew them. When Rylee and Maran married, he also became a part of the McMaster family and that circle of love grew. When Rylee and Maran moved to Santa Rosa, that circle grew even bigger as they formed deep friendships with their fellow nurses in the ICU at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, the same nurses who cared for him so diligently after his accident. In the end, that circle became an army of people who cared for him and loved him and will miss him deeply.

Rylee is survived by his wife, Maran; his mother, Sharla; his sister, Sharissa Jenson (Logan); his brothers, Brayden (Kinsey) and Ashton (Kenzie); his nieces, Adi, Paisley, and Skylar; his nephews Kruiz, Ledger, Beckham, Myles, Hudson, Tatum, and Kash; and his beloved dogs, Max and Ash. Rylee is preceded in death by his two nephews, Aiden and Jones; and his father, Sean, who was waiting for his son with open arms.

A celebration of Rylee’s life will be held on Monday, February 17th at Warehouse 22 in Syracuse, Utah on 1068 W 350 S Suite A. There will be an open reception from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. with a program following at 2:30. The family will be collecting pictures and written memories of Rylee for Maran to keep. If you have one to share, please bring it with you. You’re welcome to write a memory on the back of the photo or include a separate note.

The celebration of life will be livestreamed at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81052190895?pwd=2flGx2QO07YVktaf6vfC1Rswb1B71F.1

meeting passcode: Chilcote