Howard Mays Ryan

Howard Mays Ryan passed away on January 16, 2019 at the age of 85 in Oro Valley, Arizona, due to complications from a stroke. Howard, referred to as Howdy by family and friends in his youth, was born on February 28, 1933 in Baltimore, Maryland to Howard Whitridge and Mary Irene (Nelson) Ryan. He grew up on Clayton Road in Joppa, Maryland, spending his time with his older brother, Nelson, and their large extended family within Harford County.

He graduated from Bel Air High School in 1952 and worked his way through the University of Maryland as a block layer and a track worker for the railroad. After obtaining his degree in 1957, he joined the United States Air Force as an officer and obtained the rank of Captain. After his honorable discharge from the Air Force, he spent 33 years as a manager with CSX railroad in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. During those years, he married and raised a family, becoming involved in the community and in his children’s activities. He could often be found playing football late at night with his son and neighborhood friends behind their house in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Howard was always a very optimistic and social person. When he was younger, he loved to dance. As an adult, he loved to play tennis, was an active volunteer in organizations such as Boy Scouts of America, PTO, Shriners and Rotary Club, and was devoted to his faith in God. He also enjoyed returning to Maryland for reunions at the Ryan Family farm. Found among his belongings was a stack of love letters received throughout his younger life with the earliest in third grade, along with a lifetime of correspondence with close family and friends. Howard spent his last 23 years retired in the warm sunshine of Oro Valley, Arizona, at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

He is survived by his older brother, Nelson W. Ryan; son, Robert (Deborah) Ryan; daughter, Colleen Susan Ryan; three granddaughters, Jane, Katherine and Margaret; and one grandson, Michael. Divorced, he was married to Joan Bookwalter of Clarksburg Ohio for 16 years. He is preceded in death by his parents and his son William, who died in infancy.

Howard’s wish was to be buried at Fallston United Methodist Church, which he attended as a child. Services will be held Saturday January 26, 2019 at McComas Funeral Home, 1317 Cokesbury Road in Abingdon, Maryland, with visitation at 10:00am and a memorial service at 11:00am. Graveside burial will follow.