Joseph Landis Ryan went home to be with the Lord on Monday, September 28th, and while we are joyful for him and celebrate his life, we are deeply saddened to be without him here. Dad was born in Richmond, VA on March 31st, 1943 to Al and Beatrice Ryan. He was one of five children in a family of little means. He used to tell us that they lived on mayonnaise sandwiches, and the first set of clothes he ever had that weren’t hand-me-downs was his Navy uniform. Joe was an optimistic and happy person who believed that God does everything for a reason. He loved his brothers; Frank, John, Frannie; and his sister, Gail very much.
At a friend’s party, Joe was introduced to Brenda McGary. He thought she was a well-to-do snob and didn’t like her. She thought he was a Navy Squid straight off the deck and didn’t like him either. But love prevailed, and the two married on May 29th, 1969. Dad’s mom, Beatrice, was no “Paula Dean”, so he was ecstatic to marry mom who didn’t know how to cook for less than a hundred people at a time.
Joe graduated from VPI, and went to work at E.I. DuPont’s Spruance plant in Richmond, VA in the Management Resources Department. Joe was well respected and loved for his humor and intellect. He understood that to get along with every personality type, all you had to do was find what you liked about each other, and what you had in common. All the rest was B.S. As part of his job, he even taught others how to get along. Dad was a master electrician by trade, but a man of many skills. If he didn’t know how to build, or fix it he would learn by just jumping in and doing it. Of course, more recently, he became a great advocate for YouTube’ing all of his projects. He loved to build and see the possibilities in his imagination become reality. Which was good because he married Brenda who loved to build as well….and build, and build, and build. 
Dad loved fantasy, and thought the wonder of childhood should stay with you your whole life. He truly enjoyed a good story, no matter the source. As children, Dad would entertain us with wonderful stories of the dark and evil Ebow, who was always foiled by Max the creek dog. He even dressed as Santa Clause on Christmas Eve to solidify our belief when kids at school had already lost faith in his existence. Dad loved to make everything magical; full of possibilities. He and mom made sure we had plenty of “Wally World” vacations to pass down memories of to our own children. While everyone else lived in Englewood, FL., we lived in the “Mystic Republic of Englewood”.
Joe was a man who believed in fair politicians, honest mechanics, chocolate milkshakes (not sugar free), and ball park hot dogs with a cold beer. He thought everyone should pull their weight, and help those who couldn’t. His friends were very important to him. He made them easily, and he loved them well. Dad was the most honest, and unselfish man we know. He was kind, gentle, and understanding. And he love mom more than air.
Above all, Joe loved God. He understood the wonderful blessings that God provided, and he was a good steward. To that affect, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Port Charlotte United Methodist Church’s building fund. This project is important to Joe and Brenda. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel