Lawrence Gilbert Ryan

Lawrence Gilbert Ryan, Sr., passed away 26 January 2012. He is survived by his loving wife of 75 ½ years, Edith Irene (Cole) Ryan. He was born July 14, 1913 in Perry, Ok to the late Charles N. and Viola Mae (Smith) Ryan.

He graduated from Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State), Stillwater in 1936 with an Electrical Engineering degree and an Army Commission. From 1936 through 1941 he worked for Phillips Petroleum Co. searching for oil over a region in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Eastern Texas, moving 59 times. From 1941 to 1945 he served in the Army stationed at Camp Chaffee, Ft. Smith, AR., and transferred to the South Pacific on Guam, where he served as head of ordinance. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946 as a Major and moved the family to Rogers, Arkansas. He joined the Arkansas Army Nat’l Guards as a Captain and went to the Korean Conflict as the commanding officer of the Rogers AR Unit, “C” Company, 142nd Artillery.

After moving his family to Rogers in 1946 he started Ryan Electric, eventually also owning and operating Spic & Span Laundry and raising cattle and hogs, retiring in 2002. He was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church, Rogers, being a Sunday School teacher and a Deacon. Lawrence (Larry) Ryan is survived by his wife, four sons and three daughters; 24 grandchildren; 38 great and several great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two daughters, his parents and three siblings.

Funeral service will be, Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:00 am in Rollins Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Tommy Hinson officiating. His burial will follow at Rogers City Cemetery where he will be laid to rest beside his daughter. Visitation is Tuesday, January 31 from 5 until 7 pm.

The family requests that any donations be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter, 210 N. Walton Blvd, #25, Bentonville, AR 72712 or www.alz.org/alzokar.

Online condolences can be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.