Christopher Ryan Kiestler

Christopher Ryan Kiestler, 37, of Leland, formerly of Clemmons, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

He was born April 5, 1988, in Guilford County. Christopher was a true firefighter at heart and served for 24 years in numerous communities. He started planning for his career at age 14 with the Winston Salem Fire Explorer Program and was then later hired full-time by Winston Salem where he achieved the rank of Captain. Following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather, and uncle, Christopher was active in the Horneytown Fire Department for many years, along with various tenures at Union Cross Fire Department, Spencer Fire Department, Kernersville Fire Department, Wallburg Fire Department, and serving as Chief of the Boonville Fire Department. He was also a current employee of Stokes County Emergency Medical Services.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, George Washington and Evelyn Lucille Stroud Kiestler; and stepfather, Randy McLean.

Survivors include his mother, Ivey Jane Russell McLean; his father, Terry Wayne Kiestler (Sherri); a sister, Brittany Anderson; maternal grandparents, Marty and Nancy Russell; stepbrother, Andrew Williford; and special aunt, Kimberly Russell Hobson.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 31, at Salem Methodist Church, in Mocksville with Rev. David Tifft and Rev. Dana McKim officiating.

The family invites friends to visit with them at the church immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be considered for the North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Foundation, P.O. Box 144, Mocksville, NC 27028.

Arrangements are by Lambert Funeral Home in Mocksville and Wright Funerals-Cremations in High Point.