Terry Ryan

RYAN

Terry



Terry Ryan died suddenly and unexpectedly Friday Morning, September 5, 2014. His absence leaves an unfillable void for his family, friends and clients.

Terry was born Terrance Lee Ryan April 25, 1947, in Toledo, OH to Marilyn Schoonmaker Ryan and Nolan Ryan, who raised him in Toledo. Following graduating from DeVillbiss High School, he attended Washburn University in Missouri for a brief time before returning to Toledo where he earned his bachelor's degree, later graduating from the University of Toledo Law School in 1976. He earned admission to the Ohio Bar in November of 1976, beginning his legal career. Hired by the Department of Interior in Boston, Terry headed the litigation division, overseeing a large staff of attorneys and litigating cases in 19 states. From there, he became a partner with the Toledo law firm of Marshall & Melhorn, where he earned a reputation as a tough and effective company negotiator in union labor disputes. After more than a decade, he was invited to be a partner at the larger firm of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, where he was named the Administrative Partner and Head of the firm's labor division. After several years in the fast-paced world of a 270-member firm, he longed to work in a smaller legal arena and was blessed to become a principal with The Shanahan Firm in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1997, and he remained in association there until his death.

In 2006, Terry returned to Colorado, a state he visited as a young man, and made his home there. In early 2007, he met Rebecca, a certified paralegal. The two began The Terry Ryan Law Firm in Fort Collins, and over the following years, built a reputation throughout Colorado as the state's premier Second Amendment Law Firm. In 2009 the couple married and cemented what had become a real and rare love story.

He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Quiner Ryan, of Fort Collins; daughter, Dr. Molly Ryan and son-in-law, Dr. Jordan Kaltman with grandson, Logan of Davie, FL; son, Patrick Ryan and daughter-in-law, Andrea Ryan of Billings, MT; son, Chad Bowman and daughter-in-law, Savannah Bowman, with granddaughter, Allie; son, Joshua Bowman and daughter-in-law, Nicole Bowman with granddaughters, Sydney and Kristal, all of Fort Collins. Additional survivors are Terry's sister, Pamela Rentner and husband, Dr. John Renter; nieces, Sloan Eberly Mann and husband, Pete Mann with grandnephews, Noah and Oliver, all of Toledo, and Chelsea Eberly of New York City; cousin, Kathe Lowe and aunts, Sally Lowe and Sue Schoonmaker, all of Toledo. Next to his faith in Christ, being a father and grandfather was his greatest joy.

Terry's passions included his family and so many great friends, birding, pursuing his Ham Radio interest and his right to keep and bear arms. His strong faith in Christ was evident to all he knew, and he made no apologies for being a Christian. He was a member of Immanuel Community Church in Fort Collins, where he was baptized February 23, 2014. He was also a long-time member of Mensa, the Colorado and Larimer County Bar Associations, the Ohio Bar, the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, the Shooter's Bar, and the Second Amendment Bar Association.

Funeral service Saturday, September 13, 2014, 2 p.m. at the Immanuel Community Church, Ft. Collins. Viewing Friday 4 to 7 p.m. at the Viegut Funeral Home, Loveland, and 1 hour prior to the services at the church. Donations to Immanuel Community Church, Rocky Mountain Gun Owners or the American Birding Association would also be welcomed by the family. A Memorial service will be held in Ohio, further information will be posted in The Toledo Blade at a later date. For condolences, go to:

viegutfuneralhome.com