Thomas Cortelyou Ryan

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Thomas Cortelyou Ryan, a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, who passed away on June 21st, 2024. Born on January 24th, 1956, in Brooklyn, New York, to Frances and Thomas Ryan, Thomas lived a life full of adventure, dedication, and love.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Kilah Ryan; his son, Killian Ryan; his two grandchildren, Devin and Raven Ryan; his father Thomas Ryan, and his two sisters Jacqueline Ryan Barbeau and Deirdre Ryan Wilson; in addition to numerous cousins. Thomas was preceded in death by his mother, Frances Bergen Ryan.

Thomas spent his early years in Brooklyn, where he attended St. Ephram's School. He grew up with two younger sisters, Jacqueline and Deirdre, who were cherished parts of his life. In the 6th grade, his family relocated to Huntington, New York, where he continued his education at Stimson Junior High. He then attended Walt Whitman High School before moving with his family to London, where he completed his high school education at the American School in London in June 1974.

Thomas pursued higher education at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Criminology in 1978. His professional journey began shortly after, when he joined MW Kellogg in 1979, embarking on his first overseas project in Bintulu, Malaysia. It was here that he met the love of his life, Kilah Anak Sigo, in 1981. The couple married in 1983 in Malaysia, beginning a lifelong partnership that spanned across continents.

Thomas's career in LNG & Gas Operations and Commissioning took him to many parts of the world, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Algeria, and Nigeria. From January 1995 to November 1999, he worked in Nigeria with TSKJ, before finally settling in Houston, Texas. There, he continued his career with Kellogg Brown & Root, serving as a Service Level Manager for IT from November 1999 to December 2007, and later as a Project Service Manager for IT Business Integration until May 2012.

After an illustrious 33-year career with MW Kellogg and Kellogg Brown and Root, Thomas transitioned to Noble Energy, where he served as a Senior IT Business Analyst specializing in the African Business Unit from June 2012 until his retirement in December 2020. Even after his formal retirement, Thomas continued to work, exploring remote customer service opportunities during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Thomas was a man of many talents and passions. An avid sports enthusiast, he enjoyed football, soccer, biking, tennis, and more. He was also deeply committed to his community, briefly coaching soccer and achieving a black belt in Taekwondo from Tiger Martial Arts.

Above all, Thomas was an incredibly selfless man, always putting his loved ones first and ensuring their well-being at every opportunity. He was a devoted family man, living in Houston, Texas, with his wife Kilah Ryan. He was a loving father to his sons Rasidi and Killian Ryan, as well as being a proud grandfather to Devin and Raven Ryan. Thomas's legacy of love, hard work, and dedication will live on through his family and the countless lives he touched throughout his career.

Thomas Cortelyou Ryan will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, his unwavering dedication to his work, and most importantly, his deep love for his family. He leaves behind a legacy of resilience, passion, and kindness that will never be forgotten.

A memorial service to honor Thomas's life will be held at Katy Funeral Home on September 7th, 2024, where family and friends will gather to celebrate his remarkable journey.