Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Gary Ryan


(From Parker Mortuary)

Gary Ryan, age 83 of Joplin, passed away on Tuesday October 5, 2021.

Gary was born February 10, 1938 in Joplin, son of the late Marjorie and James “Jimmie” Ryan. Gary married Janis on February 1, 1958 in Tulsa, OK. Janis predeceased Gary in 2000.

Gary grew up in Joplin attending St Mary’s Catholic School through the eighth grade and then graduated from Joplin High School in 1956. 








He attended St Benedict College in Atchison, KS his freshman year; Missouri University School of Mines in Rolla, MO his sophomore year; his junior and senior years were at Kansas State College in Pittsburg, KS graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor’s degree majoring in marketing and math. He worked various jobs until he went to work for Sperry Vickers of Joplin in 1968. He started as an entry level accountant before advancing to plant controller. He was transferred to Searcy, Arkansas where he worked for several years before being moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and then to Troy, Michigan where he was promoted to a worldwide manufacturing controller with Sperry Vickers. He later worked in Pickens, South Carolina for another hydraulic company until his retirement. He relocated to Shell Knob, MO on Table Rock Lake with his first wife Janis until her passing in 2000. He then married Millie Myers on August 4, 2001, and they lived in Shell Knob until moving to Joplin, Missouri in 2012.

Gary is survived by his wife, Millie Myers-Ryan; three daughters: Terri Benford of Joplin; Julie Matheny (Phil) of Omaha, NE; Lisa Ryan (Ralph Groen) of Raleigh, NC; two step-children, David Myers (Kim) of Warsaw, MO and Diana Conner (Jerry) of Kansas City, MO; five grandchildren: Eric Benford (Lyndsey), Kyle Benford, Jennifer Soard (Jeff), all of Joplin, Grace Matheny (Jacob) and Wesley Matheny (Hannah) of Omaha, NE; five step-grandchildren: Natasha Williams (Brett); Brandon Myers, Sarah Statler (Matt), Abby Howell (Zach) of Wichita, KS and Justin Conner (Paula) of Peterborough, England; six great grandchildren of Joplin; one great grandchild from Pearland, TX,; eight step-great grandchildren of Wichita, KS; one great-great granddaughter of Pearland, TX; his sister Lynne Spiva (Scott) of Springdale, AR and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial service will be held on Monday, October 11, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in Parker Mortuary Chapel with Father Joe Weidenbenner officiating. Inurnment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN, or Crosslines Ministries (320 S. School Ave. Joplin MO 64801.)

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