Jack Ryan

Jack Westley Ryan, son of Herbert and Marva Pauline Harrington Ryan, was born December 1, 1933 in Lamar, Missouri. He departed this life Sunday, July 1, 2012, in his home surrounded by his family in Linn Creek, Missouri at the age of seventy-eight years and seven months. On August 31, 1951 in Kansas City, Missouri he was united in marriage to Edna Katherin McGowin and to this union three children were born. Together they shared sixty years of marriage before her passing on June 22, 2012. He was also preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include two daughters, Rhonda J. Hanks and husband George "Bud" of Linn Creek, Missouri and Angelika F. Padilla and husband Tony of Dayton, Ohio: a son, Jack W Ryan II; six grandchildren, Katie J. Dwiggins and husband Samuel of Eldon, Missouri, Josh R. Hanks of Linn Creek, Missouri, Krystal L. Ryan of Camdenton, Missouri, Tonya J. Danner and husband Jason of Montreal, Missouri, Misty K. Padilla of Greenwood, Arkansas, and Ryan C. Padilla of Dayton, Ohio: five great-grandchildren, Tracie, Logan, Mason, Baylie and Tristan; a sister Rose Housley and husband Willard of Aurora, Colorado; two brothers, Pat Ryan and wife Sally of Lakewood, Colorado, and Mike Ryan and Judy of Lake Ozark, Missouri; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Jack spent his younger years in the Webb City area and later moved to the Lake of the Ozarks. He was a graduate of the School of the Osage. Jack and Katherin resided in Kansas City where he worked as a gunsmith and was a member of the United States Naval Reserves before entering into the United States Army. Jack proudly served his country for over twenty years, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer-4, during which time he worked as a nuclear weapons specialist and received many commendations. Those commendations included the following; Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/OLC, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal; and the Army commendation Medal (2nd OLC). The most distinguished commendation was the Soldiers Medal of Valor, which he was awarded after he saved a barracks full of sleeping soldiers, by defusing a bomb with only four seconds left on the fuse, while he was on duty in Munster Dieberg Germany. Following his retirement from the Army, Jack worked in Civil Service and the National Guard before retiring again in 1989. He later co-owned B and J Auto Salvage with his son-in-law Bud, in Linn Creek before retiring to the homelife. During his retirement his favorite past-time was walking his dog "Cheyenne". Jack made a profession of faith and was baptized at Hillcrest Baptist Church in El Paso, Texas, and was attending the Ulman Christian Church in Ulman, Missouri at the time of his passing. Jack enjoyed traveling with his family, taking many memorable trips including their drive through the Swiss Alps, visiting the Salt Mines in Germany, and recently traveling six states touring some of the major battle sites of the Civil War. Jack had accomplished many things throughout his life, but his greatest accomplishments were his children and grandchildren and the legacy they will carry on. He was a loving father, grandfather, brother and uncle and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he created for his family and friends. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 9, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., in Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Burial will be in Dale Blair Memorial Cemetery, Camdenton. Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church Wee Care, Ulman Christian Church or the Linn Creek Methodist Church and left at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of the Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton.