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Ryan Stables Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Ryan Stables
Sponsored by a friend of the Stables family.
Betty Espinoza (Torres)
December 30, 2003
Mike & Renee:
Susan called and gave me this sad news about your beautiful son. It's so hard to realize or to understand this when I didn't even know you had 3 children. Renee, I think about your happy, carefree ways, your beautiful wedding. Every time I see a Maxima on the road, I think of you two. I have had you on my mind every day since the day of the funeral, how beautiful and strong you were, I wonder how you're doing every day now. Mike spoke so lovingly about his son. I cried to see him hurting. I cry as I write this note.
God Bless you both and your whole Family.
KSU Fan
December 22, 2003
Hi Ron: I have been following your KSU emails about the Championship and the Fiesta Bowl with much pleasure.
What you don't know is a story about our President, Dr. John Wefald, and our Coach Snyder that reveals the true character of two men who care more about others than their own immediate successes on the gridiron.
My close friend, Mike Stables, was, the week prior to the Big 12 Championship Game, suffering emotional pain and anguish unlike what anyone would ever wish upon another. His son, Ryan, age 14, had been fighting leukemia for many years, had overcome one type and had then been diagnosed with a much more lethal and aggressive type of leukemia.
Ryan underwent a bone marrow transplant at the Childrens' Hospital in Denver about four months ago, and had been in the hospital since that date. Ryan was a big KSU fan, and watched every game he could in his room. I sent him press guides and game programs to further brain wash him into Wildcat Land.
Rob Schneider is by business partner and close friend, who is also good friends with Ryan's dad. He and I were visiting about Ryan the week before the Big 12 Championship Game. We discussed an idea: as Ryan is such a K-State fan, wouldn't it be nice if someone at KSU made some contact with him to encourage him, as he had been in a isolated room in the hospital for nearly four months? Rob called John Wefald, whom he had met at his home in Chicago a few months earlier at an Alumni gathering. He told Dr. Wefald about Ryan's story, and John said he would see if he could get something to him or have someone make contact with him to encourage him.
The very next day, Wednesday, December 3, Ryan, then basically bedridden, received a football from Dr. Wefald, autographed by Coach Snyder and the team!! What a thrill for a young man!
The next day, Thursday, December 4, Dr. Wefald phoned Ryan in his room and spoke with him at length, offering encouragement and the enthusiasm which are his hallmark. Another joyful thing for Ryan.
The next day, Friday, December 5, and the day before what was arguably the most important day in the history of KSU Football and in the coaching career of Coach Snyder, Ryan's phone rang in his room at the hospital. When his mother answered, the caller announced that he was Coach Bill Snyder of the Kansas State Wildcats, and wanted to know if it would be okay to speak with Ryan.
Ryan spoke with him for some time, and Coach reportedly offered him words of encouragement and strength, relating some stories about personal struggles he and his family members had faced, and how much he hoped Ryan could overcome his challenges and find new strength.
This call came from a man less than 36 hours away from a game that will go down in the books as one of the most dominating and impressive victories in
college football history. Always time for kindness to a child though.
This call came from a man who is reportedly a "workaholic" who barely takes the time to eat or sleep when he is engaged in his beloved profession of
coaching young men. Always time for kindness to a child though.
This call came from a man who is universally viewed by the press as somewhat aloof and unapproachable; sometimes claimed to be even somewhat arrogant. Always time for kindness to a child though.
Ryan took great hope and strength from this call, and was given the joy of knowing that this man, a total stranger personally to him and to his family, who had never met or even seen him, was so compassionate and kind that he would pick up the phone on that important day, and make the happiness of a young man THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO HIM ON THAT DAY. Mike said that Ryan was just thrilled about this, and even "looked better than he had in weeks."
This story is not over my friend. On Monday, December 8, Ryan's phone rang in his room. Once again, Coach Snyder was on the line checking on him to see if he was feeling better. Ryan spoke with him a while, and then Coach Snyder handed the phone to a football player to speak with Ryan. . . then another player . . . then another player. . . and so on, until Ryan had spoken with EIGHT members of the Kansas State University Football Team, BIG 12 CHAMPIONS!!!!!
WHERE IS THIS STORY ON ABC???? WHERE ARE THE COLUMNISTS WHO CRITICIZE HIS
SCHEDULING OF "PATSIES" EACH AND EVERY YEAR WHEN IT COMES TIME TO WRITE THIS
STORY???? They are not aware of these stories because Coach Snyder
doesn't do this for press or praise. He does it because he is a gentle, caring, wonderful man. He does it because he wants the world to be a better place. His sincerity and kindness can't be hidden forever. (Meanwhile, our opponents wonder why our players play with all their heart for this man, and for our University!)
I am so sorry to tell you that, on Sunday, December 14, Ryan Stables passed away, leaving a loving mother and father, a wonderful little sister, and the hearts of many others broken. He was an inspiration to many, I am told. He was always smiling, and took his place in this world and his circumstances with all the enthusiasm one could possibly gather.
He lost his fight, yet he won the hearts of so many of us, many of whom didn't know him well.
Although I grieve for Ryan and his family, I AM SO PROUD TO HAVE COACH BILL SNYDER AND PRESIDENT JOHN WEFALD ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY I LOVE. I HOPE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON GIVES ALL OF US A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON "WINNING AND LOSING" FOOTBALL GAMES.
IN THE GAME OF LIFE, COACH SNYDER AND PRESIDENT WEFALD WILL ALWAYS BE WINNERS TO ME.
It is no wonder that so many kids in America want to come to our University.
Best Wishes for a Happy Holiday! I wish you the best.
In the end, only kindness matters . . .
Curtis
Cindy Humphrey
December 19, 2003
Stables Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this incredibly difficult time.
Cindy Humphrey
John and Kimberly Quinlivan
December 18, 2003
Stables Family,
It is difficult to imagine the sorrow you are feeling with the loss of Ryan. We will pray that time and great memories will heal your pain. On Christmas morning, we will say a special prayer for all of you and Ryan. May God give a special blessing to all of you this Holiday season.
John, Kimberly, Lauren, and Ben Quinlivan
Tiffany Le Doux
December 18, 2003
Mike and Family,
I am so sorry to hear the news about your son. Please know your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Rory & Ken McKee
December 17, 2003
Mike & Family,
Very sorry to hear about your son. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Owen, Jerianne, Rees and Griffin Jones
December 17, 2003
Dear Renee, Mike, Paige, and Reid,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Ryan is a beautiful and gentle spirit and I will pray now for his journey with Our Father in heaven.
I am thankful for the honor of visiting with him and enjoying his kindness. We will remember him always.
Sincerely,
John Cowles
December 17, 2003
Mike & Renee,
I was saddened to hear the news about Ryan. God bless you for the strength and courage shown by you and Ryan over the past several years.
Deborah Pletcher
December 16, 2003
Mr. & Mrs. Stables & Family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. Although I never had the opportunity to meet Ryan, he inspired me to join Team in Training and complete the Marine Corps. marathon in October of this year. He was in my thoughts then, just as you all are now.
Sincerely,
Deborah Pletcher-Lupia
Sarah Blik
December 16, 2003
My families thoughts, prayers and love is with you and your family through this very difficult time.
The BLik's
Cathleen Stark
December 16, 2003
Renee and Michael,
I can never express to you my feelings for you at this time. Ryan was a gift. I remember he came into our hearts and left such a mark. He was a wonderful young man. He helped me so very much while I was going thru Chemotherapy for my breast cancer. When he stayed over we would talk about it and share feelings. I remember he liked our little dog Peanut so very much. He had such a wonderful laugh when she would jumped all over him!
I pray that your time of sorrow pass quickly and you can again see the light that was Ryan.
He will be missed for so many reasons and for us, Dylan, myself and my other sons, he will forver be a bright thought and bring a smile whenever we look at Peanut and remember his laugh...
God keep you close during this time and we will keep you in our prayers and thoughts.
Cathleen
Ron and Pat Hart
December 16, 2003
Dear Renee, Mike, Paige, and Reid,
Your family is an incredible source of strength and inspiration. Ryan will never be forgotten. May your grief turn to fond memories of good times with Ryan.
Love,
Ron and Pat Hart
Karen Bowen
December 16, 2003
Mike,Maria and family,
I was devastated when I learned of Ryan's passing, therefore, my words cannot possibly ease the pain and loss you are feeling at this time. But I want you to know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. I will light a candle Christmas Eve for Ryan, for the light his life brought to his family and friends. Love, Karen
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