Howard Joseph Ryan, 69, of Center, passed away Monday, July 11, 2011 at his residence. He was born September 2, 1941 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Howard F. Ryan and Dorothy Yost Ryan. Mr. Ryan was raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He attended grade school at Holy Angels Catholic School in Oklahoma City, and high school at St. Gregory's Catholic High School in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He later studied at the Dallas Police Department Police Academy in Dallas, Texas and the United States Air Force Technical Schools in San Antonio and Amarillo, Texas. Mr. Ryan was enlisted in the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1963. His rank at discharge was Airman 2nd Class. Mr. Ryan also served as a Solo Motorcycle Officer for the Dallas Police Department, six years; Criminal Investigator in Matagorda Co, Bay City, Texas, six years; Chief of Police in Blanchard, Oklahoma, five years; Deputy Sheriff in Grady County, Oklahoma, four years; and Deputy Sheriff in Shelby County, Texas, 12 years. He was a licensed Private Investigator with the Texas Private Security Bureau under the Texas Department of Public Safety, Austin, Texas. Mr. Ryan attended Holy Angels Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Word of Life Church in Chickasha, Oklahoma.

A private memorial service will be held at a later time.

Mr. Ryan is survived by:

Sons:
Howard Joseph Ryan. Jr., and wife, Peggy of Florence, Kentucky
Brandon Wayne Ryan, and wife Jamie of Athens

Daughter, J'Lee Marroquin and husband, Tomas of Alvin

Three Grandchildren

Sisters:
Margaret Louise Vallion of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Martha Sutton Walker of Durango, Colorado
Helen Rose cooper of Garland, Texas

Cousin, Maryl Williams, and wife Ruth of Harrah, Oklahoma

Ann Strawderman, and husband Cliff of Parker, Arizona

Preceded in death by:
Father, Howard F. Ryan
Mother, Dorothy Ryan
Sister, Mary Teresa Ryan