John Ryan, age 87, left this earthly life on November 24, 2017 at Community Hospice Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach.

He leaves behind wife of 11 yrs, Elizabeth Worley Ryan; his sons Richard Ryan and John Ryan, Jr; his daughter Annette (Ryan) Iwach, her husband Alex, and granddaughter Elizabeth Ann.; his brother James Ryan; his step son Charlie (Spring) Chaltos; his brothers and sisters in law; Rebecca (Tom) Raymond, Bob (Jean) Worley, and Amanda (Dale) Evans and many close friends. He is preceded in death by his wife of 53 yrs, Charlotte Ann (Pfeifer) Ryan; and his parents James and Anna Ryan.

Born and raised in Rockaway, New Jersey, John joined the Air Force after graduating high school. Although he was given a promissory letter to go computer school, they put him in airplane mechanics school as they ramped up for the Korean War. This ended up serving him well in his 40 year career at Vought Aircraft (later LTV Aerospace) in Dallas, Texas, where he retired as President of the Commercial Division.

Throughout his aerospace career, his love of music was never put aside. During his time as Sheppard Air Force base in Wichita Falls, Texas, he played in both a big band and their small combo dance band around north Texas. After moving to Michigan to build the Lance, he was a member of and frequently performed at Village Players in Birmingham, in such rolls as; Sky Masterson in �Guys and Dolls and Judd in �Oklahoma�.

John was also an avid golfer and was a member of Oakland Hills Country Club in Michigan and Las Colinas Country Club in Texas. He loved to travel the country playing many famous golf clubs like Hilton Head and Pebble Beach. He also knew who designed most of the courses. Now that�s avid.

Services for Mr. Ryan will be held Friday, December 1, 2017 at 3:00 PM in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley Heard Funeral Directors. All are welcome to attend and celebrate John�s life. The family will receive friends at 2:00 pm.

His family would like to suggest donations to the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.