James "Jim" Ryle

It is with heavy hearts we announce that Jim Ryle of Park Hills passed away peacefully on Sunday December 7, 2025 early in the morning. There is no question that he was welcomed to his heavenly home to be with his late wife and the lord to rest after a rather well lived life.

James (Jim) Ryle was born in Northern Ky on June 2nd 1933. While growing up he surrounded himself with kind friends, Golf and attended Latonia Baptist Church. He would go on to graduate from Holmes High School and meet his beloved wife (Betty Joyce) while helping at church. Jim would go on to serve in the Army Corp of Engineers post World War 2. He was based in Okinawa as a mapper. It should come to no surprise he found a golf course on base and taught locals the game (obviously in between his duties).

Jim would return back to the states, he married his sweetheart Betty Joyce on April 28th 1956 and worked for the phone company which he retired from in the early 90's. They welcomed their one and only child Brigitte (Frederick) born April 4th 1958. In between family life and work, Jim would coach Basketball and Golf along with teaching choir practice at church. He and his wife also were avid Kentucky Wildcat fans-known for camping out the night before Midnight madness for tickets (there was an article in the Lexington paper featuring them) Jim and his wife would go on to attend endless seasons of basketball cheering on the big blue. Jim's daughter would bring into the world his two grandchildren Chelsea and Shelby whom they smothered with love, showing them what true Christianity meant, Jim and his wife were very welcoming souls, never judging or pushing away a stranger. They became family to most of their neighbors, much so to the family next door; that they would think of the 3 kids as bonus grandchildren.

Once retired, Jim would not stop! Many know Jim as Jimmy at most golf courses in the area. He would wake up most mornings quite early, helping keep the greens looking pretty and holes well tended too at various golf courses through his life. Along with playing in multiple scrambles and playing the game he loved, He built club sets and taught many kids in the area the great game of golf. He was the girls golf coach at Holy Cross for a few seasons. He also for many, many years sang in the church choir with his wife along with singing in a men's choir. They would preform one of the best Christmas concerts in the area. Jim also kept busy working on cars most of his life, always willing to take on a project with a buddy.

Later in life once Jim lost his loving wife in 2020 it still did not stop him from working and living the life the good lord intended. Jim would continue to go to church where he would make new friends and meet with old. He still worked 3 times a week at the Kenton County golf course, continuing to play in golf scrambles with his best buddies and still teach new tricks into his 90s. Jim was well respected in the golf community here and it is with a much heavy heart he leaves his golf and friends behind. Many of whom he considered family up until his passing, having worked with them for over 40 years (up until this summer). As family we are sadden by his passing but are at ease that he is back with his true love that he missed up until his last breath and sits beside our lord and savior who he praised much of his life.

He is proceeded in death by his parents Garret Lee Ryle and Ella Mae Ryle , His beloved wife Betty Joyce Lichiltier Ryle and sisters Jeanetta Lee Page , Alice Mae Gower. He is survived by his daughter Brigitte Sue (Randy) Grand daughters Chelsea (Chris) and Shelby (Clayton); three great grandchildren Lorelai , Adeline and Theodore and his niece Jan Egan and nephew Bud Lichliter.

Service will be held sometime in January. We will update with service day and time, please check back.

Swindler & Currin Funeral Home is serving the family.