Obituaries

Carl A. Ryan

Carl A. Ryan passed away from this life on Aug. 28, 2012. He was born on June 21, 1921, to Claud Earl Ryan and Mildred Marie Dale Ryan in Morse, Okla. Carl attended and graduated from Okemah Public Schools. Upon graduation, Carl attended Eastern Oklahoma A & M College in Wilburton, Okla., until he answered the call to war and became part of "The Greatest Generation" in World War II. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Pharmacist's Mate Second Class and was honorably discharged in December 1945. He then chose to continue his education attending Oklahoma A & M College in Stillwater, Okla. Carl was married to the love of his life, Betty Sue Gillis, on Dec. 13, 1952, and they began their married life in Chappell, Neb., where Carl was the Duel County extension agent. Carl joined the United States Department of State in 1960, where he served in the U.S. Foreign Service Institute for 23 years, aiding the people of Pakistan, India, Paraguay, Turkey and Africa, serving as an agriculture advisor. Upon retirement in 1972, Carl and Betty relocated to Bentonville, Ark., to establish Ms. Betty's Queen Size Boutique. Betty predeceased Carl in 1994. Carl relocated to Oklahoma City to be near family in 2009. Carl was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and brothers, Floyd E. Ryan of Okemah and Dale Ryan of Cromwell. He is survived by his brother, William P. Ryan of Bakersfield, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends. The family wishes to thank the staff of Kendall House in Oklahoma City for their loving care of Carl over the past two years. Carl was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, growing up in the Okemah congregation, and in later years enjoying fellowship in the Bentonville congregation and most recently with the New Hope congregation in Edmond, Okla. A memorial is planned for Sept. 8, 2012, at 1 p.m. at the New Hope Church of Christ in Edmond.

Published August 31, 2012

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