Leonard Kent Ryan was born May 25, 1951 at Perrin Air Force Base, Sherman, Texas to Lt. Thomas B. Ryan, a U.S. Air force Flight Instructor (Later airline pilot) and Norma Dee Jones Ryan, natives of Utah. Kent was second of eight children and the Ryan family moved many times around the USA.
Kent graduated from Provo High School (1969) and B.Y.U (1982); filled an LDS Mission in Osaka, Japan (1970-1972); married a Salt Lake Girl, Terrie Lee Davis, 1976 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Became a High Priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed serving in the church throughout his life. He had a successful career in the computer technology field in the Dallas, Texas area.
As a child Kent loved hunting for lizards and other creatures with siblings on frequent family outings in various canyon areas. He enjoyed fishing artwork, photography, singing and playing guitar.
Kent and Terrie became the parents of five children: Rachel, Nathan, Eric, Nicholas and Jeremy. Nathan was killed in an ATV accident at age 20 in Spanish Fork Canyon while on a family vacation in 1999.
The Ryan family and many friends are deeply saddened by Kent’s death from pancreatic cancer on June 5, 2019 in Allen, Texas in the Dallas area-ironically not far from his birthplace.
Kent is survived by his wife Terrie of Allen, TX, children Rachel Hunt (Matt) Cedar City, Utah; Eric (Laura) Houston, TX; Nicholas (Amanda) Arlington, TX; Jeremy, North Dallas, five grandchildren: Ethan and Noah Hunt; Jacob, Tyler and Madison Grace Ryan. Kent’s siblings who survive him: Richard (Tricia); Bruce (Mary Ann); Patty Stone (Greg); Judy Smith (Dan); Mary Lydia (Nick Holt). Also, Mother, Norma Dee Ryan (South Jordan, Utah); step-mother Marilyn Ryan (South Jordan). Also survived by many cousins, aunts and uncles. In addition to Nathan and Kent’s father Tom Ryan, Kent was preceded in death by his sister Wendy Ryan Hatch, Brother Danny Ryan and several uncles and aunts.
We mourn the loss of our dear Kent, but take comfort in knowing of his joy in re-uniting with his son Nathan, departed siblings and grandparents and father, Tom Ryan.
A funeral was held in Allen, TX June 8th and memorial service and burial in salt Lake City (Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park June 15, 2019.)
