Donald P. Ryder, 95, passed peacefully into the presence of Jesus at Hillcrest of Raleigh on Monday, April 2, 2018. He was born in Denver, Colorado in 1923 to Homer and Dorothy Ryder. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, with whom he shared 65 loving years of marriage. He is survived by his children: Jack W. Ryder and former wife Evelyn, Cathy R. Horner and husband David, Carol R. Miller and husband Neil; grandchildren: Christy Inners and husband Tim, Suzy Townsend and husband Eric, Jeff Horner and wife Elizabeth, Scott Horner and wife Meredith, Jon Horner and wife Meghan, Matt Miller, and Casey Robinson and husband Chris; and great-grandchildren: Catherine and Elizabeth Inners, Abigail and Joshua Ryder Townsend, Michael and Brian Horner, Tom and Cate Horner, and Graham Horner.
Don was a loving husband and father who modeled fidelity and integrity before his children and grandchildren. He served in the Army during WWII, ending his military career with the rank of Captain. He then worked 30 years as an engineer for Western Electric, where he holds a patent for a specialized tool, and for another 7 years as a port engineer at the naval base in Norfolk.
His life-long friends from his communities of residence and his beloved Providence Baptist Church cherished him as a man of faith who was an enthusiastic singer and a dispenser of friendly bear hugs. He served in the choir and alongside his wife in the Eldercare ministry. His kind, good heart and gentle spirit will be long remembered.
The family will receive friends Friday, April 6 from 7-9 pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Road in Raleigh. A celebration of Don’s life will be held Saturday, April 7 at 11 am at Providence Baptist Church’s DLC Center, 4301 Delta Lake Drive, Raleigh.
Flowers are accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Providence Baptist Church, 6339 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612 OR to Equipped for Life, 6300 Creedmoor Road, Suite 170-102, Raleigh, NC 27612.
