Mr. Jim E. Ryan

Services for Mr. Jim E. Ryan, Sr. 84, of Kilgore will be held Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at two o’clock in the afternoon at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home with Pastor Edgar officiating. Mr. Ryan’s burial will immediately follow at Danville Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, from five until seven o’clock in the afternoon at Rader Funeral Home. Mr. Ryan completed his earthly journey on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family.

Jim was born on July 13, 1939, in Jonesville, Louisiana, to Lois Mapp Ryan and William Ryan. He married the love of his life, Johnnie L. on December 6, 1974. They shared twenty-five joyful years of marriage before her passing in 1999. Mr. Ryan was an extremely hardworking man and was employed at Mansfield Pluming for forty-two years before his retirement. Jim was a devoted father before all else. Spending time with his children and grandchildren brought him happiness like nothing else. Mr. Ryan enjoyed all sports that included a ball, although tennis was his all time favorite. He spent countless hours serving tennis balls across the court and having his children chase down the balls. Jim was a faithful Christian and attended Bethel Baptist Church for numerous years before joining Forest Home Baptist Church. Mr. Ryan was a beloved father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather. He will be deeply missed by all who have had the pleasure of knowing him.

Left to cherish his memory are his children Shelia Hooks of Kilgore, Donna Kay Headley and husband Dee and Gary Ryan and wife Martha of Kilgore, Mark Gossett and wife Sheila of Kilgore, eighteen grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Jim was reunited with his parents Lois Mapp Ryan and William Edward Ryan, wife Johnnie Ryan, sons Jim Ryan, Jr., and David Gossett, Jr., and siblings Milo Ryan, Bill Ryan, Leo Ryan, Roger Ryan, Nellie Linde, Loraine Parker, Vonda Ford and Violet Gerbish.

In lieu of flowers the Ryan family requests donations be made to Paloma Hospice & Palliative Care at https://palomahealthservices.net/ or the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/ or P.O. Box 96011

Washington, DC 20090-6011.

Online condolences may be left at www.raderfuneralhome.com