James Roy Ryan, Jr.

James Roy Ryan Jr. left this life May 1, 2022 peacefully, holding the hand of his loving and beloved wife Carol. He was born August 12, 1946 to Julia Mae and James Roy Ryan, Lt. Colonel USAF (Ret.), their second child of six and only son, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Jim, as he was known, was a well-known musician in the region, taught music, authored, recorded, and published curricula for elementary schools.

Jim loved all kinds of music, a multi-generational family tradition that manifested itself early in his life, sometimes in creatively impish ways. Once, when he was chosen to play the drum during a music program in kindergarten, his mother, recognizing a particular gleam in his eye as he earnestly kept time with the drum sticks, was mortified when he made the executive decision to whack the top of the head of the kindergartner in front of him.

Kindergarten antics notwithstanding, Military life instilled a sense of discipline, and it took the family across the country and the world, including assignments at Air Force bases in San Antonio, where Jim was to put down roots. Showing astute business acumen at an early age, he worked at the Lackland AFB commissary for tips, saving coins in an old cigar box and investing the earnings in IBM stock. Active in scouting, Jim was one of the youngest scouts in Texas to achieve the rank of Eagle.

Jims precocious achievements were balanced by his creative spirit, however, and on a family trip to the Grand Canyon, the imp surfaced. He ran ahead of the group, turned at the guard rail and shouted, "Look, mom!", as he jumped and disappeared over the canyons edge! He had seen an observation platform 8 feet below the rim and thought it a good idea to take the leap. Mom did eventually recover, but the family never returned to the Canyon.

Perhaps seeking a safer outlet for Jims creative energies, his uncle gave him his first guitar. Soon after, and from that time forward, music was his passion, and the star by which he steered his life. By 15, he was playing in a Folk & Pop music trio, which quickly transitioned into the popular Rock & Roll band, The Outcasts, known for their top 40 hit song "Im in Pittsburgh and Its Raining" (1966) and other recordings. They went on to share billing with the internationally recognized bands the 13th Floor Elevators and Hermans Hermits, and were admired by fans across the South Texas region. In 1967, after being seriously injured in a car accident, Jim was hospitalized at Brooke Army Medical Center, where a long line of adoring female fans waited to visit him daily for weeks.

After months of recovery, with bass guitar in hand, Jim set out for the bright lights and promise of the West Coast and Los Angeles. Within a few years, after the birth of his treasured son, Justin Dominic Ryan, Jim returned to Texas, completing a Bachelors Degree in music from Incarnate Word University and a Masters Degree from the University of Texas, San Antonio. During this period, he began performing with the San Antonio Mastersingers Chorale which led to several performances in masterworks with the San Antonio Symphony, as well as the prestigious San Antonio Opera Company of the 1970s and 80s. In his 32-year second career as a music educator, Jim taught in the Edgewood and Northeast Independent School Districts of San Antonio until his retirement in 2005, and he established his own printing press, publishing self-authored bilingual musical plays and arrangements used in school districts across Texas and beyond. Throughout this time, Jim continued to perform live and online, leading his own band in the 1980s and 90s, Ryans Express, and appearing as bassist with acts as diverse as Augie Meyers and Steve Perron.

In 1996, one of Jim's vocalists told Carol Chapman that she had just the guy for her and introduced them. Jim and Carol Married in June of 1997, and a new chapter of life began as he was rewarded with the birth of his cherished daughter Kendall Caroline Chapman-Ryan in 1999.

Jim Ryan was a member of the Osage Nation and was active in tribal affairs, uniting Osages living in Texas. He volunteered his time to the Osage Shareholders Association, producing the Newsletter. Ever the educator, he appeared with daughter Kendall as recently as 2018 to conduct musical educational outreach to support youth literacy in the Osage Nation.

Jim is survived by his wife Carol, children Justin Ryan and his wife Lara, of New York, NY, and daughter Kendall Caroline Chapman Ryan of the home. He was preceded in death by His parents and sister Loretta. He is survived by four sisters, numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, and many lifelong friends.