Travis Allen Ryan 1942-2012

HOWELL, MCNICHOLS, RYAN, BAIN, VINSON, BROWN, MCKINSTRY

Posted By: Curtis (email)
Date: 3/27/2012 at 23:42:20

DEATH NOTICE:

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa March 7, 2012)

RYAN, Travis, 69, of Leon, Iowa, died on Monday, March 5, 2012. Funeral services are pending through Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa.

DEATH NOTICE:

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa March 14, 2012)

RYAN, Travis, 69, of Leon, Iowa, died on Monday, March 5, 2012, at his home. Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 9, 2012 at Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, with Pastor Dale Short officiating. Interment was at Leon Cemetery with Military Honors by Cowl-Scott American Legion Post # 80 of Leon.

A memorial fund has been established by the family.

Obituary -

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa March 14, 2012)

TRAVIS ALLEN RYAN ... Travis Allen Ryan, age 69 of Leon, Iowa, son of Archie and Leoda [Howell] Ryan, was born august 13, 1942 in Texarkana, Texas and died March 5, 2012 at his home in rural Leon.

Travis graduated from high school and enlisted in the United States Air force. He worked as a mechanic and was stationed in Guam as an Airman First Class. He served from 1960 until his honorable discharge in 1965.

Travis married Margaret Louise "Marty" McNichols in Texarkana on December 12, 1966. Two children were born to them, son Steven Michael and daughter Jodie Mischalle. The family made their home in Texarkana, where Travis worked as a fireman.

In 1976 the Ryan family moved to rural Leon. Travis was a truck driver, for Jimmy Dean for 15 years and later driving his own trucks. Throughout his life, Travis was an excellent cook. Known for his barbecue, Travis and Marty opened Hammer's on the Leon square in 2004. Travis never met a stranger and enjoyed all the customers. He loved to joke, talk, and tell stories. Everyone knew Travis; he was very independent but always a gentleman.

Travis' favorite meal was breakfast, and he had his children in the kitchen with him from the time they were little. He couldn't sit still, and Travis loved being outside, driving around, and mowing. He also enjoyed reading westerns, especially Louis L'Amour.

Most of all, Travis loved his family and spending time with them. There are many happy memories of times at Rod and Reel Lake with family and friends. Travis was a good man who did things for others. He was a wonderful husband and dad.

Travis attended church at new Salem Baptist Church.

Preceding him in death wee his parents; grandson Zachary Morgan Ryan; sister Lanelle Jones; brothers Clarence and Doyle Ryan; and nephew Fred Ziek.

Surviving are his wife of 45 years, Marty Ryan of Leon; children Steve Ryan (Debra) of Bellevue, Nebraska and Jodie Bain (Stacy) of Doddridge, Arkansas; grandchildren: Michael Ryan (Kassandra) of Fairbanks, Alaska, Rachael and Tanner Bain Doddridge, and Cole and Caleb Vinson of Leon; great grandchildren Logan and Levi Ryan of Fairbanks; sisters Naomi "Tincy" Brown (Marvin) of Texarkana and Patsy McKinstry (Dave) of Loveland, Colorado; brothers-in-law Gary "Babe" McNichols (Sherry) of Waukee, Iowa and Ervin "Curls" McNichols of Leon; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and many friends.