John Edward Ryan, Jr.

John Edward Ryan Jr., “Eddie”, passed away on May 17, 2026, in San Antonio Texas.

Eddie was born June 23, 1939 in San Antonio and was raised in the Texas Hill County town of Bandera where his father owned the local grocery store. Eddie was a big help to his parents from a young age, working in the family’s store as a boy and later helping them build an addition to their home as a teenager. It was in Bandera where his devotion to family and friends, interest in woodworking, and strong work ethic were forged, all traits that would be evident throughout his life.

After graduating high school from the Bandera Public School System in 1957 he attended college at Texas A&M University, graduating in January 1961 with a BBA Degree in General Business. The month following his graduation from A&M he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Kathryn Frerich on February 11. That very same month Eddie also enlisted in the US Army Reserves, ultimately being commissioned 2nd Lt. in January 1963 and honorably discharged July 11, 1966.

Shortly after his graduation from A&M and marriage to Mary Kathryn, he began a long and successful career with the first of his two employers, Royal Globe Insurance Company. During his time at Royal Globe, he advanced from a Claims Representative role in San Antonio to Branch Claims Manager roles in Corpus Christi Texas and then West Chester Pennsylvania. The weather in the Northeast didn’t suit his wife Mary Kathryn, and neither liked being so far from family back in Texas, so in January 1972 he made the decision to interrupt his successful career at Royal Globe and secured a position with USAA Insurance back home in San Antonio. Once back in Texas he applied his craftsmanship and building skills to construct the family home on Mary Kathryn’s family’s ranch in Pipe Creek, where his children were raised and many happy times were had with his kids and grandkids.

His career at USAA was very fulfilling for him. He started in the position of Claims Supervisor and through hard work and dedication advanced through numerous positions, making many friends along the way and ultimately retiring in July 1999 as Senior Vice President of Claims.

In retirement Eddie was able to spend more time with one of his favorite passions, woodworking, and in particular furniture making, spending many hours in his workshop crafting heirlooms that he made for family and friends. When he wasn’t in his workshop, he was enjoying the relationships of friends and family, golfing, traveling, dining, cooking delicious meals and baking yummy treats that were enjoyed by everyone around him. He was also an avid reader and especially enjoyed non-fiction, which satisfied his curiosity and desire to learn as much about the world as he could. The most special moments of his retirement time were the annual family vacations he organized to bring his wife, children, and grandchildren together to create memories that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Throughout his career he participated in numerous professional organizations and during his children’s school years in Bandera he also served on the Bandera Independent School District Board.

He listed as his greatest achievements his children Trey and Kathryn.

Eddie is preceded in death by his parents John E. Ryan Sr. and Othel Ryan, and is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Kathryn Ryan, son Trey and his wife Brigitte, daughter Kathryn and her husband Patrick, and his grandchildren Ellie and Erby Ryan.

Visitation and Rosary will be held Thursday June 11 at Bandera Funeral Chapel, with Visitation at 5:30pm followed by the Rosary at 6:30pm.

Funeral services will be held Friday June 12 at 3:00pm at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Bandera, TX.