Charles Francis Ryan Jr.

Charlie was born on June 10, 1947, to Charles Francis Ryan and Adeline Dini Ryan in Jersey City, New Jersey. After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1965, he was excited to join the United States Air Force that same year and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Charlie excelled at aeronautics and went on to teach engine mechanics to incoming cadets. He was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War before eventually being honorably discharged at Travis Airforce Base in 1969. Charlie was a proud veteran and often spoke fondly of his service in the armed forces. He continued his education, having graduated from Teterboro School of Aeronautics, and later attended the University of South Carolina. Over the years, Charlie developed his skills and established a successful career in the medical engineering field with Trinity Medical, where he was employed until his retirement in 2013.

Charlie was blessed with a large and loving family. He met his wife-to-be, Sharon, on an airline flight from New Jersey to Chicago. They were engaged and married five months later on December 7, 1975. Their romance lasted 47 years and was blessed with four wonderful children and nine grandchildren. Charlie enjoyed sharing his passions for travel, history, and the outdoors with his family. These interests often propelled their trips to tropical locations, historical monuments, and national parks across the country. With a natural flair for the outdoors, Charlie also enjoyed sports, boating, snorkeling, hunting, camping, and fishing. Those that knew him best can attest to his sensible and humorous nature - qualities that made him so endearing and easily relatable to others. Charlie was a loving son, brother, husband, father, and friend. He will be missed by all that know him.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Sharon Lee Ryan; his children: Ingrid Kathryn Bowers, Charles Patrick Ryan, Courtney Ryan Garrett, and Stephen Michael Ryan (Taylor Ryan); and his brother, John Charles Ryan. Charlie is also survived by his niece, Kathleen Ryan Hickey, his nephew, Kevin Michael Ryan, and nine grandchildren (Matthew, Zachary, Jake, Tate, Andrew, Rex, Piper, Remington, and Palmer).

A visitation for Charlie will be held on Monday, January 30, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home, 2950 North Cobb Pkwy, Kennesaw, Georgia 30152. Funeral services will be held at Georgia National Cemetery 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive in Canton, Georgia 30194 at 1:00 p.m. on January 31, 2023, with interment immediately following.

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