Requiescat in pace! Paul Joseph Ryan II, 62, died in peace on October 25, 2012, in Tulsa. A Mass of the Resurrection will be said on Friday, November 2, at 10:00 o'clock in the morning, Church of Saint Mary, 1347 East 49th Place at Quincy Avenue. A reception will be held immediately after Mass in Beckerle Center at Saint Mary. Private Interment held previously at 9:00 AM in Calvary Cemetery.

Paul was born to parents Beverly (Breene Odell) and Richard Paul Ryan on December 10, 1949, in Denver, Colo. During his early years, Paul and his family moved to several places where they made so many good friends: Billings, Mont., Tulsa, Okla. (several times!), Mattoon, Ill., and eventually Houston, Texas. No matter where they lived, one of Paul's favorite Ryan customs was sitting around the family table, still talking with each other when dinner was over. His Dad often traveled and would regale his wife and children with humorous stories about the trips he took. Fishing was one of Paul's life-long favorite pastimes.

Paul also enjoyed family travels to the mountains on weekends, and several trips to Yellowstone National Park as well as others. While living in Illinois, Paul's Dad took him and three older siblings on an extended trip East to Washington D.C. where they enjoyed a special tour of the White House; visited with members of Congress; rode the Senate monorail, since replaced by other transports; peeked into a room where Hoffa Hearings were adjourning for the day; watched the Postmaster's Parade on the Mall; viewed many of the Smithsonian's treasures; and took a side trip to Colonial Williamsburg, where they dined at the King's Arms Tavern and soaked up more history while wearing tricorn hats. Then it was on to a fast-paced week in New York City where, among other exciting activities, they saw the views from Lady Liberty; took a Circle Line cruise around the Island; ate in a now-extinct Automat; toured Radio City Music Hall and stayed for the movie and the famous dancing Rockettes; made a visit to Saint Patrick's Cathedral; and even witnessed the aftermath of a burglary at a Tiffany's broken window on a Sunday morning.

Later, in the 1960s, Paul wanted to see more of the world, so he decided to join the Navy. He may have seen far more than he bargained for after his experiences in Vietnam. The highlight of his tour was when his Army surgeon promised to let him go on a gurney to see Bob Hope and Troupe's performance from the front row with the prettiest nurse available to assist Paul. When he next was sent to Puerto Rico, Paul was commended personally by Admiral Elmo Zumwalt for his services rendered. Upon deciding not to become a lifer after all, YN3 Ryan was "honorably discharged on the 3rd day of June 1974."

During the ensuing years, Paul attended some college classes and was involved in a variety of occupations, until Veterans Affairs declared him 100 percent disabled as a result of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). NOT ALL WAR WOUNDS ARE VISIBLE.

Relatives who died before Paul include his parents Beverly and Richard; his paternal grandparents Effie and Paul; his maternal grandparents Marion and Arthur; his aunts Rose, Mamie, Marcella, Mary Agnes; his uncles Bill, Leo, Lee (godfather), Mac; and paternal cousins Judy, Mike and Bill.

Paul is survived by his siblings Marion, Nancy, Trish, Dale and Tim; in-laws Darrel, Dick and Kathryn; his godmother Aunt Lucile; many nieces, nephews, and in-laws: Christina, Teresa (godchild), Laura, Curt, Mary Catherine, Doug; Kathie, Ken, Dianne, Wes, Michael; Dan, Sandra, Beth, Brian, Bridget, David, Lauren, Phil, Maureen; Claire, Anna, Jack; and 15 paternal cousins: Pat, Jim, Ed, Dan, Bob, Mary; Mary Jane, Lucile, Susan, Kathy, Janet; and Maureen, Leo, Bob and Jim. Niece Christina visited Paul as often as she could, giving him a dinner party with friends and preparing special favorites of Paul to pique his appetite. Paul was especially fond of nieces Kelsey and Julia, as well as nephews Curtis, Tyler and Evan who visited Tulsa often when younger.

Special thanks go to Evergreen Hospice and Patsy's Companion-Sitter Service with her devoted-beyond-all-measure caregivers Brandi, Dee Dee, Kim, Sheila, and Sherrie who helped Paul so graciously during his final months. Heartfelt thanks are due especially to cousin Pat for staunch support and aid during his frequent, almost daily visits with Paul. Many thanks also go to Paul's friends Ted and Paul who came by often and helped Paul in so many ways. Niece Christina came from the Northwest on two occasions, to comfort Paul and with the help of cousin Mary, once prepared a special dinner party for Paul and his friends. .ALL, and many others, are appreciated and remain in our prayers of gratitude!

Charitable donations honoring Paul's memory may be made to: Church of Saint Mary, 1347 East 49th Place, Tulsa, OK 74105; OR: Wounded Warrior Project of your choice; OR: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ OR: to a charity of your choice.

To paraphrase Saint Thomas More: "Farewell, Dear Paul Joseph, and pray for us, and we shall pray for you and all your friends, that we may merrily meet in Heaven."

FITZGERALD IVY CHAPEL 918-585-1151