George Daniel Ryan was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven at age 64 at home under Hospice of the Red River Valley Care with his family at his side on February 20th, 2020. A memorial service with Military Honors will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, February 29th at Connect Church in Valley City. Visitation will be held one hour before the service Saturday morning at the church. Burial will be in the Fargo National Cemetery, Fargo, ND.
George was born on March 1, 1955 to Margaret and Kevin Ryan in Albany, New York. He grew up in Albany with his brothers Henry, Michael, Kevin, Patrick and William and attended Albany High. He then joined the Navy on March 4, 1974. He graduated boot camp in Great Lakes, Ill. in June 1974. He served on the USS Enterprise CVN-65 from July of 1974- March 1978. He served in the 210th Armor of the National Guard from March 1978 – July 1978 and re-enlisted back into the Navy August of 1978. He served USS Saginaw LST-1188 August 1978 to August 1980. Shore duty New London Submarine Base in Groton, CT. where he served as a corrections officer from August of 1980 to October of 1982. He then served on the USS Butte AE-27 out of Earl, New Jersey from October 1982 to August 1987. Next, he served at the Naval Submarine base physical security Groton, CT, from September 1987- November 1989 and from there he went to the USS Simon Lake AS-33 Dec. of 1989 to Jan. 1992. He then went to the Assault Craft Unit 4 Naval Amphibious base out of Little Creek, Virginia from February 1992 to July of 1994. On July 29th, 1994 he retired with his wife Eileen, Sean and Danny by his side.
He met his wife of 29 years, Eileen in Holy Loch, Scotland while they were stationed together on the USS Simon Lake. They married on December 28th, 1990 in Valley City. They raised their three sons Sean, Danny and Isaiah while living in Valley City following his retirement from the Navy.
George loved to talk about anything military and Irish; from Irish folklore to musicals and his love of bagpipers and Highland Games. He also loved talking about his six children and nine grandchildren. He also enjoyed his many church projects and activities that his family was involved in over the years.
He is survived by his wife Eileen, six children Michael Ryan of Kingsville, TX, Bonnie LaRouque of Belle Fourche, SD; Kelly (Michael) Nabung of Groton, CT; Sean Ryan, Daniel (Erika) Ryan, and Isaiah Ryan of Valley City, ND, Four brothers, Henry Homitz of Show Low, AZ; Michael (Terry) Ryan of Watervliet, NY; Patrick (Margaret) Ryan of Loudenville, NY; William Ryan of Watervliet, NY; nine grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
His parents Kevin and Margaret Ryan and brother Kevin and his sister in law Joann preceded him in death.
Funeral arrangements by the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home, Valley City, ND. An online guestbook is available at www.lerudschuldt.com.