He leaves behind his wife, Carol Adcock O’Neal Ryall; a daughter, Jodi-Lynn Ryall; his stepdaughter, Heather Adams and five grandchildren: Callie Ryall Simpson Greg), Jon Adam Ryall (Jenna), Stewart Ryall (Jessie), Teagan Shelton and Ty Shelton. We will all miss his positive attitude, his sense of humor, his ability to love unconditionally and his fabulous hugs. We can only imagine the joyful reunion he had with his son, Jon Hugh Ryall, Jr.; his parents, Jack and Ethel Ryall, late of Detroit, Michigan and his sister, Clarice Sass of Tampa, Florida all of whom predeceased him. (It has never been a quiet, sedate family, especially on Clemson football weekends.)
Born on August 19, 1935 in Detroit, he grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. We have heard tales that suggest the childhood of a shy little boy who grew into a confident teenager full of shenanigans and hijinks!
He graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1954, and attended the University of Michigan. After college, he accepted an invitation to see the world. He served in the US Army where he trained in a forerunner of the Army Rangers program and then served as an Instructor at West Point. There are also stories to be shared from this era but, luckily perhaps, no official records as to the continuation of mischief. His son, Jon and later his Ryall grandchildren have also exhibited what is either a family tradition of creative mischievousness or a strangely specific genetic disposition for the same.
A man of many talents and interests, Ryall was a born entrepreneur with a widely varied career, which included owning a logging camp in Canada, an import-export business in Michigan, presidency of a furniture rental company in Miami, among various other enterprises. He found his niche in real estate where he worked as an agent, broker, developer, Broker-in-Charge, Instructor and owner of several real estate companies over the more than 40 years of his real estate career. He and his business partner, Carol O’Neal, opened Earth Available Realty, Inc. as an Exclusive Buyers’ Agency in early 1991. (Predictably doing something totally unique, rather than follow the traditional path!)
On December 19, 1992, they expanded their partnership to a personal one as well when they married. They spent the next almost 30 years working together, playing together, partying together, traveling together and laughing together. They were active in their church, their business, and in local and national associations. They fostered friendships, many of which have lasted decades.
Hugh liked the finer things of life, but also enjoyed the simple things. He loved cold beer and warm hugs. He loved the raucous laughter of friends and the quiet company of a faithful dog. He enjoyed heated discussions, and the quiet peace of a fire in the fireplace. He loved good food and wine…and stinky cheese. He was a man of faith, integrity, and positivity. He loved, and was loved by many!
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