Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

James Eugene Ryan was born March 20, 1930 in Casper, Wyoming, to John Ryan, Sr. and Maude Smith Ryan. He passed away on May 21, 2018, at the Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

On May 26, 1949, he married Dorothy Ann (Dode) Bartos in Douglas, Wyoming. They were married forty-years before her death. They were blessed with nine children. He later married Judy Johnson and they had three sons. Although they divorced, she continued to be his best friend and caretaker.

Jim was a great self-taught mechanic known throughout the state for his mechanical skills and ability to fix any diesel engine. As the youngest mechanic, he was the shop foreman at Cummins in Casper. On many early mornings or late nights, he answered the call to go fix a truck or tour bus that was broken down on the side of the road. He took great pride in solving issues that others missed. He had a great work ethic and took tremendous pride in his work.

In 1958, Jim and Dode and their then family of five daughters and one son moved to Worland to begin Ryan Brothers Trucking along with his brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Viola. Two more daughters and one son were born in Worland.

Jim was a member of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church and served as an usher until he had to quit because of his declining health. He served many years on the Hot Springs County Rural Electric Association Board of Directors. He enjoyed puzzles and playing games. He instilled a good work ethic in his own children and taught them if you're going to do something, do it right the first time.

He is survived by his friend and ex-wife, Judy Ryan. He also leaves his children, Lynn Schwartz (Roy Greunke) of Littleton, Colorado, her six children and twelve grandchildren; June Tweddle (Mike) of Basin, Wyoming, her four surviving children and six grandchildren; Kelly Huffield (Jim) of White Sulphur Springs, Montana, her two sons, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; Kelly and Jim also raised Maureen's son, Tim Huffield of Bend, Oregon. Jim also leaves behind children Nancy Penn of Strasburg, Colorado, her three children and five grandchildren; Jim (Lorena) Ryan of Colorado Springs, Colorado, his five sons and five grandchildren; Theresa (Chuck) Spaeth of Fort Collins, Colorado and her two sons; Megan Plotner of Wichita, Kansas, her two daughters and granddaughter; Tim (Cindy) Ryan of Danville, Virginia, his four children and three grandchildren; Randy (Suzie) Ryan of Bozeman, Montana, and twin daughters to be born this summer; John Ryan, Madison, Wisconsin; and P.J. Ryan of Beijing, China. He is also survived by his brothers Tom (Viola) of Thermopolis, Mike (Janice) of Kingman, Arizona, and his sister Mary Ryan, also of Thermopolis. He has always held a special place for Dode's sister, Mic Solari of Satellite Beach, Florida, and her brother and sister-in-law, Dick and Liz Bartos of Douglas. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dode and his parents, John and Maude; one brother, John Jr. and two sisters, Margaret Ryan and Pat Mohr. He always mourned the loss of his daughter, Maureen McGee in 1984. He was also preceded by his grandson, Shawn Tweddle and three sons-in-law, Greg Voyles, Eric Plotner and Larry Schwartz.

A Vigil service will be held Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 7pm at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Worland. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 10:30am at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. Father Ray Rodriguez will be the celebrant for the services. Burial will follow at the Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Veile Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers or monetary donations, please spend some quality time with those you love.