Thomas Ryan

Thomas Fortune Ryan IV. A memorial mass is scheduled for 3:30 pm, Thursday, May 19, 2011 at St. Peters Catholic Church for Thomas Fortune Ryan IV who passed away on May 16, 2011 at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center in Roswell after a brief illness. Father Juan Antonio Gutierres, OFM of St. John's Catholic Church will officiate. A memorial Celebration of Life will follow at 5:30 pm at Esperanza Developmental Services at 72 Earl Cummins Loop West RIAC (big blue building). The service and celebration are not formal, in fact, please dress colorfully at the request of the deceased. Thomas was a native New Mexican, born in Carrizozo, New Mexico on September 23, 1947. He was the only son of Thomas F. Ryan III of Philadelphia, PA and Henrietta Agustina Neys Ryan of Java, Indonesia. He was preceded by his wife Dorothy Sanchez Ryan of Tularosa, New Mexico who died in 1972. He is survived by his son Thomas F. Ryan V of Las Cruces, New Mexico, sister Victoria Ryan of Patzcuaro Michoacan, Mexico, sister Caroline Crawford of Alamogordo, New Mexico, sister Irene Denae of Prescott, Arizona; half-sisters Mary Jane Saidy and Patricia McGuinness of Hillsborough, California; nieces and nephews: Autumn Michelle Ryan of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Thia Denae of Tucson, Arizona, Naiz Denae of Santa Fe, New Mexico Alicia Applin of San Francisco, California and Carolina Gaskins of Carrizozo, New Mexico. "Forty", as he was known, had many fond memories of growing up riding horses and working on the Three Rivers Ranch, where he married the love of his life Dorothy Sanchez Ryan and had his wonderful son Tommy. He lived in La Jolla, California for a period of his younger life, but his love of horses and his love of the Southwest kept him in New Mexico almost all of his life. Forty touched the lives of many people during his 63 years. He will be remembered by every life he touched, whether it was a long acquaintance or short one. His rough and tough Cowboy exterior only masked the funny caring person he was inside. Forty was a character and everyone who loved him has a favorite "Forty" story. Forty meant a lot of things to a lot of people in his lifetime. He was an inspiration to many people. He held people close to his heart. Not everyone had the patience, love or ability to develop the kind of understanding it took to know him, but those who made the effort were rewarded with a new vision of life and a new perspective of what made Forty so special. Forty left a permanent imprint on the hearts of those who loved him the most. His crooked smile and somber giggle could bring joy and illuminate any dark room. With his presence he could sometimes melt the coldest of hearts. Forty lived in a different world and by a different life code than the average human being. He loved and cherished deeply and if you were touched by him you were changed for the better. Forty possessed the innocence that every human strives for and the heart as big as a shining star. Forty was the friend that made you reevaluate your position in life and truly appreciate every breath, every joy and every sorrow. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to charities doing research in the area of Traumatic Brain Injury or Developmental Disability. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com