John Frank Ryder Jr.

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.