Robert Joseph Ryan entered into eternal life on Monday, June 26, 2023.
Mr. Ryan was preceded in death by his parents, Albert J. and Mary J. Ryan and siblings, Reverend A. J. Ryan and Sheila McGrale.
He was born on November 18, 1933, in Boston, MA where he was raised. Mr. Ryan graduated from Columbus High School in 1952 where he played football for 3 years.
Mr. Ryan is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Mary K. Ryan and his four children: Edward Ryan, wife Stephani, Patrick Ryan, wife Maria of Nashville, TN, Judi Hinds, husband Jeff and Lauri Jordan, husband Trevor both of Murfreesboro, TN. In addition to his children, his greatest joys were his 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren whose activities and plans he loved to support.
He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews and cousins who he loved to visit with.
Mr. Ryan served as a U.S. Army paratrooper during the Korean War (1953-56) and in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force (1968-69). He had extensive service with the Air Force Recruiting Service from which he retired as a Senior Master Sergeant in 1974 after 22 years. He then began a 23-year career with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (1974-97) as a benefits counselor, section and division chief at the VA offices in Buffalo, NY and Nashville, TN.
Mr. Ryan graduated from Aquinas College in Nashville (1978). He was an avid golfer for many years. Later in life, he was involved with skydiving, making 10 jumps until health issues stopped participation in both activities.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 29, 2023, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at St. Ignatius Catholic church, 601 Bell Road, Antioch, TN 37013. A funeral mass will be held at St. Ignatius on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 7:00 pm.
Burial will be held on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on McCrory Lane, Nashville, TN with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to St. Ignatius Catholic church or The Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758512, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8512.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Woodlawn-Roesch-PattonFH.com for the Ryan family.
For more obituaries visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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