James "Jim" R. Ryan

At the age of 90, Jim Ryan passed away peacefully at his home in San Antonio, Texas, where he lived since 1978. He remained on good terms with former wife Phyllis Ryan, mother of his daughters, Scarlett and Sheridan.

Jim earned his degrees at Michigan State University culminating with a Ph.D. in 1970. He would remain a lifelong fan of both the Spartans and the Packers. Jim had two careers and was equally passionate about both – the first in education where he worked as a teacher, principal, and superintendent as well as a professor at Trinity University in San Antonio. His second career was as a Methodist minister in south Texas. He also loved music and singing and sang as a baritone in the San Antonio Symphony’s Master’s Singers for many years, highlighted by a performance at Carnegie Hall.

Jim was an avid adventurer having been through Europe earlier in his life. He went to most of the U.S. states and Canada and Mexico as well. In 2008, he and his daughter, Scarlett, traveled to France and toured Paris and the beaches of Normandy followed by a trip to Ireland to visit his ancestral homeland.

Jim had many friends and loved to talk to strangers wherever he went. He was a source of funny stories and wisdom for his five grandchildren, Bryce, Shayne, and Tyler Reinders and Benjamin Foster IV and Rhys Foster. Jim was preceded in death by his beloved mother and father (Lillian and Ray) and a sister who died in infancy.

If desired, donations to the First United Methodist Church, 601 10th Avenue, Menominee are appreciated.