Thomas Matthew Ryan

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Thomas "Tom" Matthew Ryan. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family on June 13, 2022, at the age of 73 years.

Tom was born on April 24, 1949, to Francis and Dorothy Ryan in Missoula, Montana. He graduated from Loyola High School in 1967 and soon after enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his time in the service, Tom was stationed in the Philippines where he met and married the love of his life, Cornelia. They had eight beautiful children, five daughters and three sons.

Following his retirement from the Navy, Tom left California and settled in the Jocko Valley with Nel where they continued to raise their family and build their ranch. Tom was a jack of all trades and worked a variety of jobs through the years ranging from diesel mechanic to home building before illness forced him into full retirement. As long as he was able, you would often times find Tom working in his shop, changing pipe, haying, or just walking the fields. He loved working on his ranch with his family and wore a permanent path from his backdoor to his shop.

Tom was a devoted family man and his greatest joy was his wife of fifty-one years. He always told his children that there are two house rules; "Rule one, mom is always right. Rule two, if mom should ever be wrong, see rule one." He lived by those words, nothing trumped Nel's happiness and he was never far from her side. Tom enjoyed time with his children and with his many grandchildren. He liked the chaos of a house full of family and would complain that it was too quiet when everyone went home. He always had an I love you and a hug ready when you needed it.

Pop will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

A caring father, grandfather, great grandfather, and brother, Tom leaves behind children Allen (Heidi) Ryan of Superior; Jennifer (Tom Tanner) Ryan of Arlee; Francis (Paula) Ryan of Hermiston, OR; Rosemary (Luke) Davis of Lethbridge, AB; Kathleen (Cody Tanner) Ryan of Arlee; Maureen (Michael) Freeman of Kalispell; Hima (Andrew) Thompson of Anacortes, WA; and Joseph (Klara) Ryan of Missoula; brother, Patrick Ryan of Evaro, as well as 30 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Cornelia Ryan; parents, Francis and Dorothy Ryan; parents-in-law, Fortunato and Maria Hatud; daughter, Josephine Ryan; and brothers, Michael Ryan and Daniel Ryan.

A combined service for Tom and Nel will be held at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church at 420 W Pine St in Missoula on Tuesday, June 21st at 10:30 AM followed by a reception at Garden City Funeral Home at 1705 W Broadway St.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of St. Patrick's Hospital that provided such wonderful care to Pop through the past few years and to Father Hightower for praying with the family in his final hours. Also, a special thanks to Partners in Home Care and Partners in Home Care Hospice for all the compassionate support and care they have provided to Tom and our family.