George Wesley Ryan Jr.

George W. Ryan Jr. passed away December 17, 2016. Truly one-of-a kind, George was born in July 1938 in KCMO to Emma Lou Whitney and George Wesley Ryan Sr. He enjoyed fishing, riding horses, motorcycles, and being outdoors as a child; all passions that never left him. His mother, Emma, preceded him in death May 28, 1951 at the age of 37. This event made George the caregiver that he remained the rest of his life, with a passion for cooking and making sure everyone around him was well cared for. George Sr. preceded him in death in 1984. He graduated from Pembroke High School in 1956, studied Economics at the University of Kansas, and served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Army’s First Infantry, or “Big Red One”, before taking over the family business, G.W. Ryan Distributing Company. In 1963, he traveled to Japan to arrange to become the first Sony distributor in the Midwest, which started his love of Japanese food and their culture.

George was an active Mason in the Shrine, achieving the highest ranks in both the Scottish and York Rites, and became the youngest Potentate to lead Ararat Temple in 1976. He and his father were the only father/son pair of Potentates at Ararat Temple. He also actively served on the board of UMB bank, and of the Shriner’s Hospital for many years. George was an accomplished sailor, commercially rated pilot, sommelier, and chef. He never did anything halfway and inspired others to be their best and to feel valued; whether speaking to a waiter or a CEO of a corporation. George is survived by his loving wife, Patricia; his sister, Mary Lou Rowland; his niece Sharon Rowland Brewer and nephew Rob Rowland; his first wife Sue Dyer, and their three children; daughter Kathy Willnauer and her husband Kent, daughter Laura Ryan, and son Wes Ryan and his wife Carol. George is also survived by Patricia’s family; mother Gladys Stamm; sister Nancy and her late husband John Hunt; sister Betty and her husband Loren Peer, brother Daniel Stamm, brother Timothy Stamm and his wife Lucy, brother Bradley Stamm, sister Jayne and Robert Pothetos, and sister Melissa and her husband Jonathan Losos. George also has three exceptional grandchildren, Craig Barnett, Haley Ryan, and Jack Ryan. We will all carry him on in our hearts.

Visitation services will be held at 11 a.m, Thursday, Dec. 22, followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m. at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd., KCMO 64131. A family burial service and reception will follow at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in George’s name be made to the Shriner’s Hospital in St. Louis, the Menorah Medical Center Cancer Research Center, and donations to the KC Hospice House.

Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.