Timeline for John Ryder Jr.
Born: October 6, 1929
Died: January 3, 2013
John Frank Ryder, Jr., 83, of Galveston, passed away Thursday, January 3, 2013, at his son’s home in Tyler, Texas. He was born October 6, 1929, in Galveston, to Regina and John F. Ryder, Sr.
Dad’s loves were his family, his Catholic faith and Galveston Island. His love for Galveston began as a small boy fishing the jetties during the Great Depression and continued from his pier overlooking West Bay in Jamaica Beach.
John graduated from St. Edward’s High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. Edward’s University in Austin in 1953. He served in the US Army in post World War II Germany from 1951 to 1952. He was one of two men from his battalion chosen to serve in Germany. He was a salesman and Branch Manager for Monroe Systems for Business for over 30 years. Under his management, the Galveston office received the President’s Award for the United States.
Dad’s legacy was one of devotion to his Catholic faith by praying the Rosary daily and praying for his family and friends. He led the devotion to the Divine Mercy after Easter for many years. Dad received the Mercy Park Yellow Rose Humanitarian Award. He was a member of Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, but also participated in daily mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, Holy Rosary, and St. Patrick’s. He was a Eucharistic Minister for many years at UTMB Hospital and also for the homebound. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 787 and Serra Club. He was an avid fisherman of the West Bay, bowler, hunter, and in his later years, he took up the game of golf in order to spend time with his sons and grandsons. At age 50, he trained and completed the Houston Tenneco Marathon.
John is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Marjorie Ryder Adams, and his grandson, Peter Ryder.
John is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Barbara Joan Kellogg Ryder; by their 7 children, Steve Ryder and wife, Terri; David Ryder and partner, Norm Rychlik; Jim Ryder and wife, Peggy; Anne Ryder Robertson and husband, Brad; Tom Ryder and wife, Sherrie; Kathleen Ryder Wood and husband, Pat; and Joan Ryder McAlexander and husband, Will; twenty one grandchildren, Christopher, Timmy, Nick, Jack, Madeline, Luke, Paul, Erinrose, Mary Kate, Matthew, Maggie, Katie, Caroline, Davis Anne, Patrick, John Thomas, Charles, William, Michael, Walt and Wyatt; his brother in law, Joe Kellogg of Huntsville, Texas; his 5 nieces and a nephew; and many other relatives and friends. John showed, without many words, his faithfulness, his devotion to his wife and family, and his ultimate belief that prayer can move mountains. He always gave a hug or shook a hand even with his oxygen strapped across his chest, not stopping him in any way from helping make the other person comfortable. He brought many people back to Holy Communion just by saying a simple kind word that helped them feel good again.
Our family will receive visitors beginning at 5 pm, Monday, January 7th, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home. A rosary will be held at 6 pm, led by Deacon Sam Dell’Olio.
Funeral Mass will begin 11:30 am, Tuesday January 8th, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Bishop Joseph E. Strickland as Celebrant. Entombment will follow the service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
John was like a Dad to me and my sisters, and we will all miss him very much. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time. Love, Laura
Kojuan has sent this Expressions of Sympathy card.
Dear Barbara and family, You are in my prayers at this difficult time. We all loved John so much, like a member of our own family. I have many fond memories of John, most of which were on or near the water. He is now with his loving Father, and watching over us all. Marcia and Kerry Backes
I had the good fortune to know John since the mid thirties when we both attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and served as altar boys at the church. John was an example for us all to follow. He was always in good spirits and it was a delight to be in his company. He was a wonderful husband and father and he and his wife raised beautiful and talented children. I'm sure God will reward him for all his efforts.
Goodbye dear neighbor. Your presence on Nassau Way will be missed. May God comfort your family as you move on to bigger and better things.
I was very sorry to hear of John's passing. He was my manager in my first job after college. He was a great manager, and friend. Things that I learned from him benefited me throughout my career. Probably the most important thing that I noticed about him was that, though he worked hard at his job, he always put it in the proper perspective. I hope that the family can find peace at this hard time.
You will be missed so much by so many people. You were a wonderful friend and neighbor. One of my memories of you was when you would ride your bike around the neighborhood and to the beach, and later riding your bike with your oxygen strapped on! You lived life to its fullest! With Love sent up to you and to your family, Julie, Don, Sydney and Corey Fanning
A great man has left us to be with his maker. He was a great neighbor and friend to Mike and I. We will always remember his smile and stories of Galveston. Our heart felt sympathy to Barbara and their family. Love, Barbara & Mike Walther
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Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Malloy Funerals & Cremations.
John was like a Dad to me and my sisters, and we will all miss him very much. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time. Love, Laura
Kojuan has sent this Expressions of Sympathy card.
Dear Barbara and family, You are in my prayers at this difficult time. We all loved John so much, like a member of our own family. I have many fond memories of John, most of which were on or near the water. He is now with his loving Father, and watching over us all. Marcia and Kerry Backes
I had the good fortune to know John since the mid thirties when we both attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and served as altar boys at the church. John was an example for us all to follow. He was always in good spirits and it was a delight to be in his company. He was a wonderful husband and father and he and his wife raised beautiful and talented children. I'm sure God will reward him for all his efforts.
Goodbye dear neighbor. Your presence on Nassau Way will be missed. May God comfort your family as you move on to bigger and better things.
I was very sorry to hear of John's passing. He was my manager in my first job after college. He was a great manager, and friend. Things that I learned from him benefited me throughout my career. Probably the most important thing that I noticed about him was that, though he worked hard at his job, he always put it in the proper perspective. I hope that the family can find peace at this hard time.
You will be missed so much by so many people. You were a wonderful friend and neighbor. One of my memories of you was when you would ride your bike around the neighborhood and to the beach, and later riding your bike with your oxygen strapped on! You lived life to its fullest! With Love sent up to you and to your family, Julie, Don, Sydney and Corey Fanning
A great man has left us to be with his maker. He was a great neighbor and friend to Mike and I. We will always remember his smile and stories of Galveston. Our heart felt sympathy to Barbara and their family. Love, Barbara & Mike Walther
Malloy Funerals & Cremations
Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Malloy Funerals & Cremations.