JACK RYAN, 88, passed away on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at his lifetime home on Union Flat, outside of Pullman, WA. Jack was born July 10, 1924 to TW (Will) & Jessie (Clark) Ryan in Moscow, ID, the youngest of their five children. To get to primary school at the Irene School house on Union Flat, he rode his horse. Jack then attended Pullman High School. His greatest teacher was experience. Jack spent his life farming, ranching and livestock dealing. One of his fondest memories is of driving a 33-horse hitch hillside combine. Jack started working for Twin City Sales Yard at their first sale in 1943. He worked there until its last sale. He then worked for Lewiston Livestock Market until 2008. It was the only job he held outside the family farm and ranch. Jack married Marlene Becker on February 22, 1954. They raised five children on the family farm; homesteaded in 1877 by his maternal fore bearers. In 1900 Jack’s paternal grandfather bought the farm. Jack spent his life working, it was his vocation. He enjoyed the Whitman County Threshing Bee and the Whitman County Draft Horse Association. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pullman. Jack also enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren ride and show livestock. He was proud to pass his work ethic and farm on to his children. Jack is survived by his wife Marlene at the family farm; five children Gary (& Sharon) Ryan; Jacki (& Chet) Pearce; Les (& Laurie) Ryan; Bill (& Ruth) Ryan and Kelly (& Ron) Van Buren; 11 grandchildren Greg (& Krista) Ryan; Doug (& Melissa) Ryan; Amanda Grimm, Karla Ryan, Sarah Ryan, Ben Grimm, Laura (& Pete) Appel, Mark Ryan, Hailey Pearce, Cory Pearce, & Jessie Van Buren; 7 great grandchildren; & one sister Eileen Roberts. Jack was preceded in death by his brothers Joe & Tom and by a sister Nell McNeilly. A Memorial Rosary will be held at 7 PM on Monday, July 23rd at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pullman. The Memorial Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 1 PM at St. Gall Catholic Church in Colton, WA. A family interment service will follow at the St. Gall Catholic Cemetery in Colton. Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman, WA is caring for the family. Memorial donations are suggested to the Whitman County Rural Dire District 12 or 14.
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