Ryan William Smith

Ryan William Smith

Ryan William Smith was born November 15, 1985 in Shreveport, Louisiana. His courageous battle came to an end June 26, 2014 at the age of 28. He will be deeply missed by those that knew and loved him.

Ryan grew up in Shreveport, LA and resided in Bossier City, LA. As a child, Ryan excelled in academics at St. John's Cathedral School. He competed in numerous Regional and State Science Fairs. Ryan was a Cub Scout and was heavily involved in athletics. In the youth leagues, he was an all-star baseball player. He also participated in soccer, basketball, and his favorite sport - football. Ryan played high school ball at Loyola College Prep. During high school, Ryan made varsity as a freshman football player. During his senior season at Loyola, the football team made it to the playoffs. Ryan was the starting defensive end in a very dominating defensive unit. At LSU - Baton Rouge, Ryan was a member of the Powerlifting Team and competed at the collegiate level in weight lifting. Aside from athletics, Ryan enjoyed hunting and fishing. From freshwater angling to offshore sport fishing, Ryan enjoyed reeling in fish. Shooting was another hobby that Ryan enjoyed. He was a gifted marksman with an open sight 30-30 rifle. He spent many hours in the woods of East Texas hunting and fishing with family and friends.

Passionate, uncompromised and pious are only a few of the many words that describe Ryan Smith. Ryan graduated from Loyola College Preparatory in 2004. He received his Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering in 2010 from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Ryan was a fervent LSU fan, especially LSU football. He attended virtually every LSU football game during his college years. After college, he traveled to watch the Tigers play on numerous occasions. He truly bled purple and gold. At LSU, he was also a dedicated member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, where he served as Sergeant at Arms. Ryan was a member of the Block and Bridal Club and participated in college rodeos.

Petroleum engineering was Ryan's passion from a very young age. Ryan grew up in the oil and gas business and spent many childhood hours on oil wells and drilling rigs. After graduating from LSU, Ryan returned to Shreveport and began working with Coutret and Associates as a consulting reservoir engineer. He had a work ethic like no other. Even in the hardest of times Ryan was dedicated to his profession and career in the oil and gas industry. He was a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. As a tribute to Ryan and his sister Courtney, Ryco Exploration, LLC was formed and will continue to explore in his honor.

Ryan never met a stranger and was welcoming to all those that crossed his path. He was selfless and giving in every way; incredibly intelligent and full of zeal. His positivity and head strong nature helped him persevere through the most difficult moments. He was a fighter and he always said it was OK to think about giving up, it was OK to want to give up, but no matter how much you want to - you never, ever, give up. His legacy will live on and his fight will not be in vain.

Ryan was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, William Joseph "Papa Dub" Smith. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife and the love of his life, Ashley Brown Smith, his unborn son, Turner Ryan Smith; parents, Robin and Gethyn Smith, of Shreveport, LA; sister, Courtney Ann Smith Breitenbach and husband, Cameron Breitenbach of Houston, TX. Others include his paternal grandmother, Doris Smith, maternal grandparents, Donald and Gloria Clayton; paternal uncles, Gehrig Smith and wife, Debbie Meier, Chris Smith and wife, Sunny Smith; paternal aunt, Roma Smith; maternal aunt, Ann Nolen and husband, Dr. Michael Nolen; maternal uncle, John Clayton and wife, Jenifer Clayton; cousins, Zachary Dabney and wife, Nina Dabney, Haley Smith, JT Smith, Cody Smith, Lauren Clayton, Steven Clayton, Megan Clayton, Clayton Nolen, Carson Nolen and Colton Nolen. Numerous other family members and countless friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, 3:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans with Father Peter B. Mangum, Father Thomas John and Father James R. McLelland officiating. A reception will follow in St. Vincent Hall at Loyola College Prep. Visitation will be held Monday June 30, 2014, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Osborn Funeral home in Shreveport, LA. There will be a private family burial in Nacogdoches, TX.

Pallbearers honored to serve will be John Clayton, Gehrig Smith, Chris Smith, Zachary Dabney, Steven Clayton, Dr. Michael Nolen and Clayton Nolen. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Randall Brown, Henry Coutret, Robert McGowen, Robert Latham and Aaron Johnson.

The family would like to thank Dr. Boniol, the staff at CHRISTUS Schumpert Cancer Treatment Center and Christus Schumpert Highland. The family would also like to thank Dr. John Heymach, Dr. Renata Ferrarotto and the numerous physicians, physician assistants, nurses and staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center for their wonderful care and compassion throughout Ryan's fearless battle.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in honor of Ryan W. Smith to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center where a fund is established in his name. To make a gift to the Ryan W. Smith Fund for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research, please visit http://www.mdanderson.org/gifts or send it to P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210 with a notation of the fund name. MD Anderson may be reached at 713-792-3450 or 800-525-5841.