D. L. Ryan

D.L. Ryan, age 90, of Tuscaloosa, died Feb. 28, 2012, at DCH Regional Medical Center. Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Hargrove Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Earl Freeman officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Ike Ryan; his mother, Pinkie Colvin Ryan; one brother; and three sisters.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Eloise L. Ryan; his daughters, Rhonda Tingle (David) and Phyllis Montgomery (Mike); his son, Drew Ryan (Laura); his grandchildren, Cassie Jones (Judd), Suzie Tant (Adam), Ryan Montgomery, Daniel Tingle (Karen), Brent Mills, Morgan Mills, Emma Ryan, and Colt Ryan; and his great-grandchildren, Addie Jones and Alex Tant, all of Tuscaloosa.

Mr. Ryan was a 1940 graduate of Holt High School where he was a cheerleader. He attended the University of Alabama before serving in the United States Army Air Corps, 22nd Weather Squadron, in Natal, Brazil during the Second World War. Mr. Ryan was the owner and proprietor of Ryan's Grocery and Briarwood Egg Farm in Tuscaloosa. He was appointed Justice of the Peace by Governor Gordon Persons in 1952. Mr. Ryan was a long time church and choir member of Hargrove Memorial United Methodist Church. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

D.L. was an avid golfer, playing his last 18 holes five days before his passing, still shooting under his age.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Montgomery, Daniel Tingle, Mike Montgomery, David Tingle, Judd Jones, Adam Tant, Boots Burns, and Jimmy Adams.

Honorary pallbearers are members of Hargrove Memorial United Methodist Church and all his fellow golfers over the years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hargrove Memorial United Methodist Church.