Gerald Francis Ryan

Gerald F. Ryan died in Houston on April 23, 2015. He was born August 30, 1919 in Abilene, Texas to William C. and Genevieve Morris Ryan, the seventh of eight children. His parents and seven siblings predeceased him. He is survived by his dear wife, Rosemary Eschmann Ryan, daughters Kathleen Norberg and Denise Burton (Robert, husband) and sons Judd A. Ryan (Megan, wife) Sean Ryan, Brendan Ryan, Colman Ryan and Colin Ryan and six grandchildren: Kristen Norberg, Marissa & Kevin Burton, Shane & Taylor Ryan, Dylan Ryan and one great grandchild: Luke Burton. He graduated from Highland Park High School, Dallas, Texas and from SMU, with a bachelor of laws degree. He served in the U.S. Army in WWII in Australia, New Guinea and Dutch New Guinea (now Irian Jaya) in the 42nd Infantry Division. He began his legal career in Houston as an Assistant District Attorney and then joined the legal department of Mene Grande Oil Company in Caracas, Venezuela. He later worked as an attorney for Blaw Knox de Venezuela, C.A. and the Benson law firm in Caracas, before returning to Houston, where he practiced law in association with Raymond M. Hill, before joining the Small Business Administration as District Counsel, from which position he retired in 1987.

A mass of Christian burial for him will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6800 Buffalo Speedway on May 2, 2015 at 2 p.m. with a private burial afterward for the family at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery. "Rosemary and kids and grandkids, you may add anything you wish to this. I deeply love you all. If you know anything good about me, remember it. If you know anything bad about me, forget it."

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: the St. Vincent de Paul Society, in my name, or St. Jude Hospital for Children, or to a charity of donor's choice.