James "Jimmy" Ryan

After a courageous battle with Leukemia, Jimmy left this life on March 3, 2012 to join his heavenly father. Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 from 10-11am followed by a Memorial Mass at St. Sabina, 700 Trevis Avenue Belton, MO.

Jimmy was born on September 18, 1938 to Sarah Elizabeth Halloran and Edmond Ambrose Ryan. Sarah (Betty) and Ed came here from Ireland in 1926 and 1930. Both preceded him in death. Jimmy was a loving husband, father, and grandfather most of all.

Jimmy attended St.James Elementary, St. John’s Seminary Preparatory High school and Cardinal Glennon College, Seminary in St. Louis, and graduated with a BA in Philosophy. He attended the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He lived at the North American College while studying there. Leaving the Seminary, he was drafted into the US Army and was stationed in Ft. Riley, KS with the BIG RED ONE. Jimmy was a Radio Teletype Operator. After leaving the army he taught English at Rockhurst High before moving to Cedar Rapids, IA and worked as a magazine editor. He then moved to Long Island, NY where he worked as a newspaper reporter and taught English in North Babylon, NY. He then attended the University of IA where he received his MA in Library Science, and worked as the PR Editor.

After moving back to the KC area he was the librarian at Center High School and KCMO School district. He also worked as the PR Director for the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Jimmy received his 2nd MA in teaching from Webster University.

In 1997 Jimmy married the love of his life, Victoria Young. He retired to a life of leisure in January 2001 and enjoyed many years of reading history books and biographies, listening to lectures and watching many movies, mostly documentaries and foreign films. He loved riding his John Deere mower and cutting lots of grass, trimming bushes and of course all who knew him “drinking his wine!”

Jimmy and Vicky were blessed to do a lot of traveling across the US, loved to drive, talk and see the countryside. Our favorite place of all was our “annual trip to Hermann, MO” and the “October Fest.”

Jimmy followed politics and loved to “talk” politics and of course “religion”, two of his favorite subjects and if he could get you in a heated conversation, even better!

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 16 years Victoria Ryan (Vicky), siblings, Kathleen (Phil) Moore, Mary (Bernie) Siegmond, John Ryan, Eddie Pat (Karen Ryan) and Mike (Mary Kay) Ryan. Children, Luke Ryan, PhD., Dawn (J.D.) McPheeters. Grandchildren, Brook, Austin, Cheyenne and Kendall. Stepchildren, Shawn (Amy) Kelley, April (Bryan) Stark, and Dustin Walters. Pe-pa’s grandchildren Hunter, Natalie, Carter, Liam and Vera. His best “buds”, Roger Jackson, Bill Jolley, Danny Howe and Mike Baker. Let’s not forget “Seamus” his loving “pupper”. Jimmy will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and loved him with his infectious “laugh” and those “twinkling” blue Irish eyes.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Leukemia Society, Catholic Charities, or Kansas City Hospice House. I would like to thank the loving staff of UMKC, 4th floor oncology, Kansas City Cancer Center, Westwood, Ks and KC Hospice House for all of the wonderful care given to Jimmy.