Posted by Ryan Ward on May 19, 2013:

I wanted to post the full Obituary for my grandad. MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Col. James P. Ryan, U.S. Army Retired, 70, of Martinsburg, died Monday, April 8, 2002, at City Hospital, Martinsburg. Born Dec. 21, 1931, in Yonkers, N.Y., he was the son of the late John J. and Catherine Davis Ryan. He was a 1954 graduate of West Point, where he lettered in track and football. He was a graduate of Command and General Staff College, National War College and Syracuse University, where he received a master's degree in business administration. He retired from the Army in 1983 after 29 years of service. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He served with 1/506 with the 101st Airborne Division and was a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Chief of Staff Admiral Moorer. He completed Ranger and Airborne schools at Fort Benning, Ga. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and the Silver Star for gallantry in Vietnam. He was an analyst with the New Hampshire Sunset Committee and the New Hampshire Housing and Finance Authority until 1997. He was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church, Inwood, W.Va. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Pittsfield, N.H. He is survived by his wife, Joan Maloney Ryan; one daughter, Michele Ward of Sterling, Va.; two sons, James P. Ryan Jr. of Lorton, Va., and Kevin C. Ryan of Haymarket, Va.; two sisters, Catherine McKiernan of Salem, Conn., and Margaret O'Neill of Bronxville, N.Y.; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Leo Catholic Church. The Rev. Brian Shoda will be celebrant. Burial prayers will be said in Rosedale Cemetery. The family will receive friends today from 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, Martinsburg.

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