Adolph Earnest Ryan died Saturday, June 26, 2021 on his 91st birthday. He was the youngest child born to John Joseph Ryan and Margaret Mary Purdue Ryan. The family immigrated from Ireland 100 years ago to settle in Dyas, where the family had purchased land.
The Ryan family initially planned to travel on the Titanic, but they were bumped from the travel log and eventually made their way to America on the White Star Line Haverford. After settling in Dyas, the Ryan family eventually grew to include eight children. Adolph Ryan was last surviving member of the family.
Mr. Ryan lived a life of service to his country, his family and his community. He served with the U.S. Army as part of the B Battery of the 711th AAA Gun Battalion during the Korean War, earning the rank of Master Sergeant. After returning, he continued his service as a member of the National Guard of nearly 40 years.
Mr. Ryan would go on to enjoy a long career with the U.S. Post Office, serving as a clerk until his retirement. Family and country were everything to him and he loved to be around people. He and fellow members of the 711th coordinated special Veterans Day observances every year at the Korean War Memorial erected in their honor. He was also a frequent participant in local schools’ Veterans Day programs and as a special guest, where he shared his knowledge on varied topics including how to hold to fold a flag, how to read a compass, how to tie a tie and so much more. He was proud to be the winner of the Biscuit Contest at Bay Minette Intermediate School. Mr. Ryan spent most mornings sitting at the Table of Knowledge at Street’s Restaurant and Pearl & Addie’s Café. In his later years, he took on the task of an honorary sous chef at the Café, a job he took great pride in each day.
He loved his children and truly enjoyed being promoted to the title of Pap when the grandchildren and great-grandchildren joined the family.
He leaves behind a legacy of love for his survivors including his wife Gloria Faye Crenshaw Ryan of Bay Minette; four children, Diann Ryan (Al) Peavy, Carol Ryan (Jerry) Ballard, both of Bay Minette, Earnie (Martha) Ryan of Dyas, Eddie (Kimberly) Ryan of Bratt, FL; two step-children, Shawn (Jacklyn) Swift of Indian Rocks Beach, FL, and Gillian (Kenny) Riley of Hodgenville, KY; grandchildren, Danielle Brown, Ryan Watson, Megan Hester, Mallory Glick, Austin Ryan, Kaston Peavy, Kylie Swift, Drake Lawadzki, Joe Purdom and Keifer Swift; great-grandchildren, Ryder Nease, Bear Brown, Story Jean Brown, Juniper Rae Brown, Slayden Peavy, Jase Hester, Grady Hester, Dustin Watson, Peyton Watson, Jayden Watson, Elora Jobson, Maelyn Glick; and Dorothy Langham Ryan, the mother of his four children.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John Joseph Ryan and Margaret Mary Ryan; and his siblings, John Ryan, Michael Ryan, Nicholas Ryan, Francis Ryan, Anne Ryan Sandberg, Robert Ryan and Agnes Ryan Tripp
Visitation will take place 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Bay Minette. The funeral service begins at 3 p.m. at the church, followed by burial at Bay Minette Cemetery. Brother Jerry Childs will serve as the officiant.
Pallbearers will include Ryan Watson, Austin Ryan, Kaston Peavy, Brandon Hester, Michael Glick, and Bubba Brown. Honorary pallbearers will include Glen Wolfe, Ricky Overstreet, Jeff Malone, Cary Roley, John Billy Ryan, Pat Ryan, Joe Ryan, David Ryan, Mark Ryan, Gerald Malone, Elsby Roberts, and Kenneth Robinson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to 14th Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 694, Bay Minette, AL 36507 or Community Hospice, 1450 N. McKenzie Street, Foley, AL 36535.
Obituary written by Tina Covington