Jack Ryan

Jack Ryan, 83, died July 27, 2014.

He was born June 23, 1931, in Kiowa, Kansas, to Orrville Ryan and Iona Withrow-Ryan-Skinner.

Jack finished eighth grade before he started his working career. In his 20s, he was a custom cutter who traveled to Denton to work the harvest. There he met Geraldine Fenner. They were married Aug. 21, 1959, and had three children before moving to Columbia Falls in 1965 — Sonya, Kip, and Clete. Tonya came later in 1969.

He was employed at Plum Creek for most of his career. During this time he also held a second job at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.

Jack and Gerry were divorced in 1988. He ended his working career as a security night watchman and swamper for Gress’s at the Ol’ River Bridge Inn in Columbia Heights. He invested in an RV that he was going to travel the country in, during his retirement, but ended up just staying in the Flathead Valley.

Jack was a hard worker and always took pride in his work and providing for his family. He loved music, especially the Big Band Era, and Louis L’Amour Westerns. He was an avid sports fan, especially when it came to basketball, baseball and football. He was always willing to place a bet with you.

He was one of the board members for Glacier Twins for many years. He enjoyed fishing the rivers. Jack’s passion was bowling. He was an avid bowler and belonged to many leagues throughout the valley. His favorite thing to do the last years of his life was to go watch and coach his grandsons Dirk and Gage on Tuesday night Men’s League at the Glacier Lanes in Columbia Falls. Jack also belonged to the North Valley Search and Rescue as a volunteer.

Jack was preceded in death by his father Orrville Ryan, mother Iona Skinner, stepfather Bill Skinner and sister-in-law Jean Ryan.

He is survived by his brother Rusty Ryan and wife Vernon; sister Paula Chung and husband Sam; daughter Tonya and her family Kirk, Shayna, Hannah and Olivia Atlee; son Kip and his wife Jane, and their family, Daniel and wife Jenny Ryan, Kayla Ryan, and Michael Ryan; son Clete and his family Brenda and Kiera Ryan; daughter Sonya Ryan-Graham and Jeff Covell and her sons Dirk Graham, and Gage Graham and wife Katrina; and his dear friend Lynda Tyler.

A graveside service took place Aug. 4, 2014, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.