Thomas Joseph Ryan

Our beloved Thomas Joseph Ryan, age 81, of Houston, Texas passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at home surrounded by his family. A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor and friend, he will be remembered for his love of life, quick wit and the time that he shared generously with those who were lucky enough to know him.

Tom was born in South Bend, Indiana on March 1, 1942, to Thomas and Marguerite Ryan. He attended St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in South Bend. He then moved to Austin, Texas, where he earned his Bachelor's degree from St. Edward’s University in 1963. Tom was proud of his service in the U.S. Army reserves, which started in 1964 at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He later earned his MBA from the University of Texas in 1966. After graduating, he began a rewarding 34 year career with Shell Oil Company. He progressed from a union negotiation role, which took him to some of the more interesting and remote locations of the world, to his true calling, a leadership role, focused on organizational learning and leadership development that he loved until his retirement in 1999.

Tom married Mary “Jane” Roffino Ryan on August 8, 1964. Tom and Jane have four children: Tom, Mike, Shannon and Sheila.

Tom loved to entertain. He was there when his good friend Mike Griffin opened Griff’s Irish Pub in 1965. They celebrated St. Patrick’s week together for over 50 years. Tom was the emcee for the Queen’s contest and they rode together in the Houston St. Patrick's Day Parade, culminating in a celebration at Griff's. Tom combined his pride in his Irish heritage with a talent for music, when he taught himself how to play the guitar in the late 1970’s. He formed the band, Ryan’s Irish Rogues that played sets at Griff’s St. Patrick’s day celebration for many years. They doubled as a country and western group playing over 500 gigs as Texas T and the Troublemakers for over 30 years.

In his late 40’s Tom took up riding a Harley Davidson as not only a hobby but a passion. In more than 20 years of riding, he traveled over 250,000 miles on 3 different Hogs, traversing the U.S., Canada and Mexico as well as the European Alps many times with his son Mike. He was a life-long Texas Longhorn and was passionate about Longhorn football, attending hundreds of games over the years.

Tom was the ultimate people person, giving his time and attention to others freely. He served the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for 35 years as a full time volunteer on the Speakers Committee. Known as "Cowboy Tom," he promoted the rodeo using his story-telling and musical talent, presenting to hundreds of Houston area schools, hospitals, special children’s camps, senior church groups and elder care facilities. He was a tireless volunteer to so many causes, particularly to Easter Seals. Tom was a proud member of AA for over 30 years and was instrumental in helping countless people navigate the most difficult of times, with compassion and humility. It can be said that he spent the first half of his life working on his resume and the last half working on his obituary, when you consider all that he did for countless others including the family he loved and cherished.

Tom was preceded in death by his mother and father and his brother John Ryan. He is survived by his wife Jane, younger sisters, Mary Turtle and brother-in-law Robert of Las Vegas, NV, Jane Schnepel and brother-in-law Glenn of Denver, CO and Ann Riordan and brother-in-law Tim of Kansas City, KS. He is also survived by his son Tom Ryan and daughter-in-law Amy (Mauldin) Ryan of Houston, son Mike Ryan and daughter-in-law Erin (Hinzmann) Ryan of Dripping Springs, daughter Shannon (Ryan) Herr and son-in-law Robert Herr of Houston and daughter Sheila (Ryan) Tidwell of Houston, his 9 grandchildren Ryan Herr, Jake Herr, Erica Herr, Mark Tidwell, Noah Tidwell, Lucy Tidwell, Meredith Ryan, Luke Ryan and Mackenzie Ryan as well as his 4 great-grandchildren.

Friends are invited to a visitation with the family on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 from 4:00 pm until 6:30 pm with a Vigil Service at 6:30 pm in the Chapel at Brookside Funeral Home Champions, 3410 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston, TX 77068. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 11:00 am with Rev. Norbert J. Maduzia, Jr. officiating at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, 7810 Cypresswood Drive, Spring, TX 77379, with a reception to follow at the Church. A private Rite of Committal for the family will be on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Hearne, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in his name be directed to Easter Seals of Greater Houston C/O Development Department 4888 Loop Central Drive, Suite 200 Houston, Texas 77081. https://eastersealshouston.org/donate/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brooksidechampions.com for the Ryan family.