Cover photo for Glenn  F. Ryan Sr.'s Obituary
Glenn  F. Ryan Sr. Profile Photo

Glenn F. Ryan Sr.

d. May 10, 2019

Glenn F. Ryan Sr.

Glenn F Ryan Sr, 81, died Friday May 10, 2019 at home in Ocean Springs, MS. Glenn was born February 1, 1938 in Ocean Springs and lived there almost his entire life. He lived a short time with his parents in Fort Sill, OK during WWII. He married Joan Emily Batia from North Biloxi on May 6, 1962 and set up permanent homestead in Ocean Springs. Glenn graduated from Ocean Springs High School and the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Math & Physics, and a Masters Degree in Education & Counseling. He was employed Civil Service at Keesler (Field) Air Force Base where he retired as the Education Services Officer after 34 years of service. He served in the Mississippi Army National Guard retiring as Brigadier General as Chief of Staff of the 184th Transportation Brigade, Laurel, MS after 33 years of Service. He was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal for his leadership record and distinguished years of Service. He was proud of his service many times on State Active Duty, particularly during the Meredith Crisis at Ole Miss and Hurricane Camille where he was commended with the Army Commendation Medal for life saving activities and leadership. Glenn was an extraordinary athlete lettering in football, basketball and baseball at Ocean Springs High School. He also lettered in baseball at USM. He played coast league semi-pro baseball after college and he told his family one of his only regrets was not accepting an invitation to try-out with the Brooklyn Dodgers at their Vero Beach, Florida Training Camp. He spent several years refereeing basketball which he really enjoyed. After his children were born, he started coaching youth league teams in football, baseball and basketball. He continued this for almost 20 years, positively influencing many young boys with his coaching mantra of encouragement, high expectations, firmness and sportsmanship. Mr Ryan was well known throughout the community for his policy of playing every child in every game in every sport. Many men still talk about their days in youth sports with Mr Ryan and the positive effect it’s had on their lives. And then, there are the 42 years as Voice of the Greyhounds. Glenn treasured his grueling weekly routine in thorough preparations for Friday night Greyhound games. He took on this role because of his passion and pride for Ocean Springs Greyhound athletics where he excelled as the team’s Quarterback years before. He also had the joy of spending many of those years sharing the press box with his brother Walter. Their shared talents earned many accolades culminating in the admittance into the Ocean Springs Sports Hall of Fame, Inaugural First Class and the dedication of the old Mississippi National Guard Armory (where he once commanded the resident unit) into the Ocean Springs Ryan Youth Center. Glenn’s joys in retirement life were centered around his grandchildren’s activities, attending many sports games, daily coffee & toast with friends, weekend dancing with his dear friend Ms Sylvia Yates, tennis, cast net fishing, golfing at Gulf Hills and many other courses and finally daily exercise walks on East Beach. Glenn was a very active member of St Alphonsus Church where he attended daily Mass with friends and was active member of the Knights of Columbus. Glenn is preceded in death by his parents Cyril W. and Catherine Ryan, his wife of 42 years Joan Batia Ryan and his brother Walter J. Ryan. He is survived by; four sons, Glenn F Ryan Jr, Scottsdale, AZ, Jeffrey L (Kimberly) Ryan, Dean A (Julia) Ryan and Steven J (Christy) Ryan all of Ocean Springs, MS; 8 Grandchildren, Logan Schaefer Oxford MS, Heather M (Jacob) Heaton New Orleans, LA, Michael L (Emily) Ryan, Atlanta, GA, Rachel A Ryan, Oxford, MS, Glenn “Rocky” Ryan III, Phoenix, AZ, Sarah E Ryan and Hannah J Ryan Oxford, MS and Luke C Ryan Ocean Springs, MS. Visitation will be on Monday, May 13, from 6pm until 9pm, at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. On Tuesday, May 14, Glenn will lie in state from 10am until 11am, with an 11am Mass of Christian Burial, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Bellande Cemetery.
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Past Services

Visitation

Monday, May 13, 2019

6:00 - 9:00 pm

Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home - Ocean Springs

911 Porter Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

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Mass of Christian Burial

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Starts at 11:00 am

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Ocean Springs

502 Jackson Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

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Cemetery

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home - Gulfport

59 Wayside Rd, Stuart, VA 24171

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