Dan Ryan

Long-time resident Dan Ryan, age 83, passed away peacefully October 2, 2021, in Ridgecrest, California. He moved here as a 5-year-old on Valentine's Day 1945, born July 18,1938 in Webster, Massachusetts, to Colin and Juliette Rioux Ryan.

Dan graduated from Sherman E. Burroughs High School in 1957.  In his high school years, he excelled at track and basketball. He lettered in both sports and held local records for many years.

He served four years in the US Navy at Whidbey Island and returned to China Lake as a career civil servant of four decades.

While an enlisted man, Dan met the love of his life, Ruth Ann Dean in Portland, Oregon, where they married in September 1961.

He shared his enthusiasm and knowledge of the great outdoors with his children on many trips, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, foraging and relaxing in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountain range.

A founding member of the IWV Karate Association, he earned a Black Belt and taught enthusiastically for more than forty years.

Dan Ryan was best known as the assistant to the Toys for Tots coordinator, Ann Ryan.  He worked with the Marines on the Christmas campaign for twenty-five years.

Dan was a forty-five year supporter of the Elks BPO Ridgecrest Lodge 1913, where he and Ann celebrated their 50th anniversary with more than 100 friends and family in 2011.

Dan  is survived by his brother Ron Ryan and wife Pat Ryan of Ridgecrest, his sister Pat Hignite of Bakersfield, his son Richard Ryan and wife Diane Burko of Philadelphia, his daughters Julie Sorensen and husband Michael Sorensen, Cathy Braem and husband Mike Braem, of Ridgecrest, CA, seven grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

We wish to thank the staff of High Desert Haven and Bella Serra at Ridgecrest Hospital for the love and compassion shown to our father during the years they cared for him.

A Memorial Service will be held  Thursday, November 4th, 2021,10:30 AM at Holland & Lyons Mortuary, 216 S. Norma, reception to follow, location TBD.