Brendan Richard Ryan

Brendan grew up in Commerce Township, Michigan. He attended Walled Lake High School and later earned a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management and Operations from Western Michigan University. He began his career in 1996 with an internship at United Airlines, where he later worked full-time. In 2003, he moved to Dallas, Texas, to join Southwest Airlines. That same year, he met Lisa, who would become his wife. They were together for a total of 22 years, married for the last 10. Brendan spent 22 years at Southwest, serving in multiple departments and roles, most recently as a Senior Ground Operations Intelligence Consultant. He played a key role in identifying challenges and uncovering opportunities to improve company performance and will be greatly missed by his colleagues.

Brendan had a passion for cars and aviation, with an encyclopedic knowledge of both. He appreciated everyday objects well-made and had a particular interest and respect for good design and function. From a young age, he enjoyed tinkering - starting with Lego sets - and continued this passion throughout his life, especially with his watch collection. He found peace in the outdoors, especially the mountains. National parks, especially Yosemite, were some of his favorite vacation destinations. Brendan's family knew him as a “dog-whisperer", and he had a quiet, instinctive connection with animals and a tender heart for all living creatures.

Brendan is survived by his wife, Lisa Renee Marshall; his mother, Carolyn Brennan-Ryan; his brothers, John Martin Ryan, Eric William Ryan, and Casey Morgan Ryan and husband Christopher Ryan; his sisters-in-law, Laura Marshall and her husband David Hopkins, and Katherine Elizabeth Marshall; and his mother-in-law, Regina Connell Marshall. He is also survived by his niece and nephew, Molly Margaret Ryan and John Thomas Ryan.

Brendan leaves behind his lifelong best friend, Mike Landry and his wife Marisa Landry, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins, including Kevin and Margaret Brennan; Maureen and Christopher Stefani; Thomas and June Brennan, Colleen and John Bausman; Nadine and Paul Lisi; Arline and Eric Ryan; Theresa and Tommy Ryan; Mary and Martin Melia; and Marian and Billy Ryan - and all their children.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Anthony Ryan and his grandparents, Rosaline Marie and Thomas Martin Brennan, and Bridget and William Ryan.

A memorial service for Brendan will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m., followed by a service at 4:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Brendan’s memory with a donation to one or more of the following organizations.

To honor Brendan’s love of animals: ASPCA, or your local animal shelters and adoption agencies.

To support the preservation of natural beauty and wilderness: National Parks Foundation

And, perhaps most importantly, to help us move toward a society where we prioritize the importance of mental health and normalize talking to each other and seeking support: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, HeadsUpGuys.org, Kevin’s Song (based in Detroit), and the Grant Halliburton Foundation (based in Dallas).

Lastly, if you’re struggling, it’s okay to share your feelings. To start, you could copy this message and send it to a trusted contact: “I’m having a hard time right now and just need to talk to someone. Can we chat?” You can also call or text 988 to talk to someone. Brendan Ryan, 53, died unexpectedly on May 16, 2025, in Irving, Texas.