Donald Ray Ryden

May 31, 1933 - January 13, 2025

Boise, Idaho - Donald Ray Ryden (91) of Boise died peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, January 13, 2025. Ray was born May 31, 1933, to Joseph and Jane (Bottorf) Ryden, in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1951, where he excelled in Football, Basketball and set records in Track that held for years afterwards. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from the University of Iowa in 1958. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. His college experience was interrupted by two years of service to his country in the United States Army, where he was stationed in France. Following his service, Ray returned to the University to complete his education, and met Ann McLaughlin. After graduating, they were united in marriage in 1958. They recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Ray's career spanned 39 years, beginning with the Mead Corporation which took him from Iowa to Ohio, Michigan, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina and Georgia, and ending with the Boise Cascade Corporation, which took him from Georgia to Boise via Minnesota. Ray's sales and management expertise moved him quickly up the corporate ladder, ultimately to Corporate Officer and Senior Vice President of all Transportation and Procurement activities for Boise Cascade. He set a high bar for himself and served in leadership positions with American Pulp and Paper Transportation League, National Freight and Transportation Association, and the Council of Logistics Management. After retiring in 1997, Ray was an active member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Boise and of St. John's Cathedral and St. Mary's Catholic Church, and served as Director of Junior Achievement of Idaho. Ray enjoyed skiing at Brundage Mountain in McCall and Winter Park/Mary Jane in Colorado, and playing golf and tennis at Crane Creek Country Club in Boise with family and friends.

Family was most important to Ray. He was a loving husband to Ann and a dedicated father to his children. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, brother Rex Ryden and sister-in-law Nan Ryden of Marshalltown, Iowa, daughter-in-law Faye (John) Ryden, and daughter Katherine Ryden. He will be missed by his four sons: Jim Ryden of Las Vegas, NV, John Ryden of Minneapolis, MN, Tom (Theresa) Ryden of Boise, ID, and Matt (Dana) Ryden of Boise, ID; twelve grandchildren: Leah (Skyler) Nikolas, James Ryden, Neil Ryden, Anna (Jacob) Warehime, Marie Ryden, Nicole Ryden, Matt Ryden, John (Natalie) Ryden, Thomas Ryden, Katie Ryden, Claire Ryden and David Ryden; and five nieces: Jane (Pat) Condon, Jody (Bob) Dorweiler, Ginny Malloy, Kathy (Mark) Larson, and Ann (Rod) Squire.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the St. Luke's Hospital doctors, nurses and staff who provided such exceptionally compassionate and professional care for Ray in his last days, particularly in the ICU, on the 9th Floor and the Hospice staff. They have our utmost appreciation, respect and gratitude.

A Funeral Service will be held at Summers Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 1:30 pm. The family will hold a private burial at Dry Creek Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be made to the Downtown Rotary Club of Boise or the Junior Achievement of Idaho. Thank you.