George Arthur Ryder

He was born August 4, 1927, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, and moved to Detroit in 1937. He served in the US Army from 1945 to 1948, spending 26 months in Europe. He and Violet were married in 1950. During his 41-year career at Chrysler Corporation, he worked in electrical inspection and plant protection. He received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior in March 1953 at North Detroit Baptist Church and in 1956 joined Calvary Baptist Church, Roseville, Michigan, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. After retiring from Chrysler in December 1988, he and Violet moved to Lynchburg where they worked part-time in sales for Teacher Created Materials of Huntington Beach, CA, representing the company at trade shows throughout the U.S. They were members of Thomas Road Baptist Church, serving in Evangelism Explosion, volunteering at Elim Home and Carrington Nursing Home, and participating in the TR Seniors program. He enjoyed many hobbies including woodworking, gardening, and home improvement projects. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by one son, Paul David Ryder.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son George Ryder and wife Cheryll of Wilton, CT; one daughter Corinne Livesay and husband Stephen of Dayton, TN; two brothers, Richard Yuhas and John Yuhas; eight grandchildren, George, Jane, Geoffrey, Paul and Barton Ryder, Brent and Katie Livesay, and Kara Woodworth and husband Gerry; and one great-grandchild Lucas.

A service celebrating his life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 4, 2014, at Thomas Road Baptist Church with the Rev. David Heerspink officiating. Interment will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion Post 16.

The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to Bryan College, 721 Bryan Dr., Dayton, TN 37321.