Lawrence Patrick Ryan, Larry to most, husband, dad grandpa and friend of so many passed away surrounded by family at North Kansas City Hospice on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, after suffering a stroke, complicated by the effects of Parkinson’s Disease.  Born in Hamburg, Iowa Larry was a lifelong Missourian.  Larry and his wife Sandy settled in the Kansas City area where they had four children and a good life the for much of their 53 years together.  Larry had a long career in the Power Plant Production Planning with Trans World Airlines, (TWA) originally downtown, then transferred to the Kansas City International.  Larry loved being a dad, coaching sports, teaching the kids life skills, and participating in all their growing up activities. 

The family lived outside of Dearborn, MO for 43 years and finally settling in Platte City, MO for their later retirement years.  Larry loved keeping in touch with several of his former TWA friends and colleagues, meeting regularly for breakfast or lunch to reminisce, solve Missouri’s and the world’s problems and brag about each other’s kids and grandkids.  Lifelong friends are a great gift he said.  An avid sports fan, reader and student of history, Larry could converse skillfully about just about any topic.  If he could not answer a question about any subject, he would always go home and do the research to answer the question, if not for others, just for himself. 

In retirement Larry was an active volunteer at the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired (CCVI) but his greatest and most loved retirement activity was being “the” Grandpa.  “Grandpa” was his most prized title and he cherished every opportunity to spend time with his grandkids and be involved in their lives.  From coaching them in sports, attending more games and school events than you can count, to helping them with their athletic and academic accomplishments there was never a time that he didn’t have time for the grandkids.  Larry loved being a part of their growing up and they loved having him in their lives.  He will be greatly missed by all of his grandchildren.  Madison, Emma + Tess Ryan, Hannah, Nicholas + Samuel Ryan, Jacob, Jack + Grace Cogan.

Larry is survived by his wife Sandy (Lambader) Ryan, sons Jim Ryan and wife Natalie of Overland Park, Kansas, Tim Ryan and wife Amy of St. Joseph, Missouri, daughters Shelly Ryan of Las Vegas, Nevada, Kelly (Ryan) Cogan and husband Brian of Rushville, MO, his sister Connie Bernier and husband Bill of Anchorage Alaska, Mother-In-Law Tess Lambader, and many of his extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews.    

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Doris Ryan of Tarkio, MO, and his brother Joe Ryan of Spokane, WA. 

A plan for celebration of the life of Larry Ryan will be held on October 26, 2019.  The family suggests that donations in lieu of flowers may be made in honor of Larry Ryan to the Parkinson’s Foundation Heartland at (www.Parkinson.org) or (913) 341-8828.