Melvin O’Neal “Neal” Ryan, a longtime resident of Cherokee Village, Arkansas, was born December 30, 1934 and raised in Keyser, West Virginia. He passed away May 14, 2024. Neal enjoyed his life with family and friends, both near and far. He attended the Spring River Presbyterian Church for many years. Together with his wife, Alice, he enjoyed fishing, traveling, and visiting. They held an open door to anyone who came to visit at their home. He considered Alice’s family as his own, and he enjoyed making new friends wherever he went.
Neal was a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served for 22 plus years. He retired as a Master Sergeant receiving several medals and awards: Armed Forces Accommodations, Good Conduct, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, Longevity of Service, Vietnam Service, Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship, and Air Force Outstanding Unit.
Survivors include his wife, Alice Waggoner Ryan; two brothers, Vernon “Mutt” Ryan of Charleston, South Carolina and Delmar “Butch” Ryan of Keyser; three sisters: Neva Corbin and Connie Proietti, both of Keyser, and Marcella Edmondson of Lutz, Florida; his daughters, Kathy Beverage (Kenny) and Wendy Wilson (Charlie), both of Westernport, Maryland; two grandchildren, Dr. Haylee Wilson and Ryan Wilson; three stepsons: Ronnie and Timothy Harmon of Melbourne, Arkansas and Russell Harmon of Union City, Tennessee; a stepdaughter, Ladonna Christy of Hardy, Arkansas; 18 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and great-nephews; five sisters-in-law: Frances Waggoner, Judy Stinson, and Debbie Lloyd, all of Fay, Oklahoma, Joyce Waggoner of Spring, Texas, and Sandi Thomas of Nashville, Tennessee; a brother-in-law, Wyatt Waggoner of Colorado City, Colorado.
Those preceding Neal in death were his parents, Aletha Ellen Inskeep Ryan and Charles Edward Ryan; three brothers: Robert “Cowboy”, Franklin “Hank”, and Charles Elmer “Buddy” Ryan; two sisters, Karen Rae Keller and Tracella Lancaster; his son, John Ryan; two brothers-in-law, Darrell Ballew and Luther Waggoner, and a sister-in-law, Christine Ballew.
Neal’s outgoing personality and sense of humor will always be remembered.
A Celebration of Life service with military honors will be held Saturday, June 1st from 1pm to 3pm at Tri-County Funeral Home, 1540 Hwy. 62-412, Highland, Arkansas 72542.
