Frank Wallace Ryle Jr.

Frank Wallace Ryle, Jr. passed on Friday June 18, 2021, after a second hard-fought battle with lung cancer at the age of 74. He was born November 13, 1946, in Kansas City, MO, but the family later moved to Norwalk, OH after his father was transferred there. Frank is a graduate of Norwalk High School Class of 1966. He was active in Boy Scout Troop 218 and earned his eagle scout merit award. He entered the Army in 1967 and received additional training that served him well in Vietnam as a special forces soldier, rising to the rank of Sergeant during his 18 months there, having a received a bronze star. He was honorably discharged.

Following his service commitment, he and his first wife Barbara (Johnson) soon moved to Zephyrhills, FL where he joined CF Industries, first as a maintenance mechanic but soon advanced to supervisory positions within the company, including the building of a large uranium recovery plant on site. They had two children, Kristen and Joshua. After Barbara and Frank divorced, he left CF and Florida behind in 1984 and he went to Tennessee to pursue a dream of building a cabin in the woods south of Pikeville, Tennessee. So, with 40 acres and his version of a mule, aka, a jeep, he timbered tulip poplars off the land and built that cabin.

He did stop long enough to attend his 20th high school reunion and there re-met a classmate, Pamela (Martin) Maxwell and it wasn’t long before they realized that this reunion would change both of their lives. They married in 1987 and celebrated over 34 years together.

The couple enjoyed motorcycling and vacationing via motorcycle. Frank, a master carpenter, made Americana furniture and over 200 baby cradles for friends and family. This love led him to make construction and carpentry a full-time career that culminated at Fort Bluff Camp outside of Dayton, Tennessee where he was general contractor for a 16,000 sq.ft. lodge.

Frank also loved to Rendezvous, reenacting the Mountain Man era and had a moccasin business for several years. He and Pamela also enjoyed Civil War reenacting in period clothing. In addition, Frank’s alter-ego was Santa Claus, and he loved to delight children at the holidays.

Frank was an avid hunter for many years and loved fishing as well. A highlight was when he and son Josh, were able to take an 8-day fishing trip to Alaska. When his health limited those trips, he began tying flies and took up basket weaving as well, while still enjoying fishing. He and Pamela recently relocated to Florida, where he was able to spend more time with his children and grandchildren treasuring every moment that he was able to be with them.

He is survived by his loving wife, Pamela (Martin) Ryle; daughter Kristen (Ryle) Doherty (Barry); son Joshua L. Ryle (Lindsay); and stepdaughter Kelly Maxwell (Rose). Additional family includes grandchildren: Chance Cunane, Addison Cunane, Bryce Ryle, Brayden Ryle, and Jackson Maxwell; sisters: Nancy (Ryle) Strine (Tom) of Port Clinton, OH; Debbie (Ryle) Milazzo (Mike) of Oregon, OH and many extended family and friends.

The family is requesting in lieu of flowers that donations be made to: The American Cancer Society; Moffitt Cancer Center or CHI Memorial/TN Oncology. In addition to this Celebration of Life, there will be another one in Dunlap, TN on July 12, 2021.