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BORN
1942
DIED
2017
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Thomas ORyan Obituary
Memphis, TN
Thomas Michael O'Ryan, Jr., 75, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 17, 2017, in the arms of his loving companion, Patricia T. Comella and his daughter, Mary Kathleen O'Ryan after a 4 year battle with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. He is also survived by his son, Thomas Michael O'Ryan, III and his wife, Kathryn Czarnecki O'Ryan of Atlanta, GA, and his brother, William Fay O'Ryan, and his sister, Mary O'Ryan Davis and her husband, Howard of Memphis, Tennessee. Preceded by his death were his wife of 40 years, Kathleen Mayo O'Ryan and his brother, Emmet Jude O'Ryan. His legacy will live on through his five grandsons, Thomas Michael O'Ryan IV (15) and Connor Maxon O'Ryan (8) of Atlanta, GA and William Voss Johnson (11), Thomas David Johnson (9), and Eamon O'Ryan Johnson (6) of Memphis, TN
Thomas Michael O'Ryan, Jr. was born in Memphis, TN, on November 23, 1942 and was the son of the late Thomas Michael O'Ryan Sr. and Mary Fay O'Ryan. He graduated Cum Laude from Saint Bernard College in Cullman, Alabama in 1965. Lieutenant Commander Tom O'Ryan served in the Naval Aviation Unit for eight years during the Vietnam War before coming to work in the family business, Tom O'Ryan Advertising Company. Together with his dad, Tom O'Ryan Sr., he pioneered the concept of Bus Advertising and helped establish an office of the family business in Atlanta, Georgia. In the 1970's, Tom O'Ryan Advertising Company was eventually bought out by Winston Network and from there Tom was the front runner in developing and organizing the concept of multi-media transit outdoor advertising. He was well respected by his colleagues, clients and most of all his employees. Being a Naval veteran, he was passionate about caring for our country's servicemen, and in 2003, Tom was awarded the Freedom and Homefront Award by President George W. Bush.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, November 21 at Canale Funeral Directors. A Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 22, at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
The O'Ryan family is very grateful for the love and care provided by the West Cancer Center on Union Avenue over the last four years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to "Wings" West Cancer Center, 1588 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38104.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas ORyan
Sponsored by Canale Funeral Directors - Memphis.
2 Entries
Joan Tonning Hug
November 20, 2017
Mary and Howard,
I'm so sorry for your loss. God bless and your brother now and forever.
John wright
November 19, 2017
My deepest sympathy.
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Memorial Events
for Thomas ORyan
Nov
21
Visitation
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Canale Funeral Directors - Memphis2700 Union Avenue Extended, Memphis, TN 38112
Funeral services provided by:
Canale Funeral Directors - Memphis2700 Union Avenue Extended, Memphis, TN 38112
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