James "Jimbo" Ryan

James Michael Ryan II (Jimbo) was found deceased at his home in Austin, Texas on November 19, 2019. Jimbo considered himself to be a native Texan, having lived in the state for 66+ years, but due to an unanticipated wrinkle in the space/time continuum, he was actually born in Springfield, Missouri on December 9, 1951. He graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 1969, from New Mexico Military Institute in 1971, and the University of Texas in 1976. He also served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army and the Army Reserve and was honorably discharged in 1981. He worked in sales, was an entrepreneur, and was a stay at home dad.

A self-described “full-time eccentric,” Jimbo was full of opinions and enjoyed expressing them. He was a devoted University of Texas athletics fan, an avid student of politics although he had no use for politicians, and a decades-long weekly poker player. He loved his black hat from Texas Hatters, Dr. Pepper (with and without peanuts), cheese enchiladas with chile gravy and chopped onions, vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, and spending time with friends.

Jimbo is preceded in death by his father James M. Ryan and mother Helen Cathryn Allen. Survivors include his wife Rhonda Colbert Ryan, son James Michael Ryan III (Mack) and daughter-in-law Jordanne Mickle Ryan, sister and brother-in-law Sarah and Richard Carpenter, brother Daniel Ryan, and numerous extended family members. He was loved and will be missed.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, December 8, 2019 in the Austin Room at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, located at 6100 North Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas 78752.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the American Heart Association, 10900-B Stonelake Blvd., Suite 320, Austin, TX 78759.