Theodore Eugene Ryden

Our Papa – Theodore (Ted) Eugene Ryden, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed into eternity with Jesus on December 5, 2021. He was born on February 21, 1936, in Phoenix, Arizona as the son of Harold and Gretchen Ryden, and brother to Deanna. On August 25, 1960, Ted married the love of his life, Nancy Pauline Huffman. Grandma and Papa remained joyously married for nearly 57 years. Papa missed Grandma since her passing in 2017 more than words can express. Our grandparents’ marriage was fruitful, and the legacy they built lives on today.

Ted is survived by his daughter, Kim Dorsett and husband Keith of College Station, Texas, and their two children Cameron and Anna; his son, Brad Ryden and wife Becky of Orlando, Florida, and their four children Alex, Ethan, Audrey, and Eliot; and his daughter, Wendy Aubin and husband Justin of Northlake, Texas, and their daughter Emma.

Papa accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior as a young child and then again, with a stronger understanding of what being “born again” meant, as a young adult. Papa loved his wife, three children, and seven grandchildren (that’s us!), and devoted his life to being a witness for Christ. He taught himself Spanish so he could visit and communicate with prisoners and share the Gospel with them. Our grandparents volunteered in Bill Glass’ “Behind the Walls” prison ministry for many years; they were also longtime members at Trinity Bible Church in Richardson. Papa retired from Raytheon-E Systems in 1991.

We, the grandchildren, liked to describe our beloved Papa as funny, kind, loving, intelligent, humble, fascinating, eccentric, heroic, wise, curious, an adventurer, full of life, a continuous learner and teacher, and a God-fearing, Christlike, and Spiritual man. Papa is greatly missed here.

A celebration of Papa’s life will take place at 11:00 AM on February 21, 2022, in the Chapel at Denton Bible Church (2300 E University Drive, Denton, Texas 76209). Donations can be made to Bill Glass’ “Behind the Walls” prison ministry at www.behindthewalls.com