Obituaries

Ronald Kay Ryle, 83, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2025 at his home in Athens, Texas.

A Celebration of Ron's life will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2025, from 2 until 4pm at Tavern on Main Street, 115 E. Main, Richardson, TX 75081.

Ron was born June 11, 1941 to Orion L Ryle and Sandra A Ryle (Brown), in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His family moved to Seattle, Washington, before his 2nd birthday, during the war. There, his parents hosted his aunts whose husbands were overseas. As a small child, Ron was surrounded by adults who he captivated with his charm and violin. As the family grew, the family moved to Fresno, California, in 1952, and back to Tulsa in 1958. Ron graduated from Will Rogers High School in 1959. He loved playing music and did so with his friend Russell Bridges in clubs around town until his “Tulsa Sound” buddies headed to California while Ron attended college at Oklahoma State University followed by Northeastern State University, where he graduated in 1963. He joined the Airforce Reserves in 1964, and was married to Sally Ann Perrine in 1965. Their daughter, Stacy Lynn, was born in Tampa, Florida in 1967.

His passion and love for music never subsided as he blazed a trail in the oil business, becoming the youngest Salesman of the Year at Gulf Petroleum while the family lived in Florida. He spent his life in the sales and service industries building long-standing friendships along the way. The family moved back to Oklahoma in 1976.

Ron, now single, moved to Dallas in 1981 and remained in Texas the rest of his life. He married Mary Gallamore in 1994. They hosted many friends at the Midway Point Restaurant & Bar over the years and held those friends close to their hearts. The couple retired and moved to the country just outside of Athens in 2019 where they enjoyed slower, quieter days.

A social person who valued the art of listening and bringing people together through laughter, music, cocktails, and storytelling, kept him immersed in deeply rooted friendships throughout his life. Ron also maintained a serious side that made him a valuable friend, confidant, and cheerleader for the people and causes he strongly believed in.

Ron was blessed with diverse groups of friends in many places throughout the country. He will be missed, honored, and celebrated by all. In lieu of formal services, his groups of friends are encouraged to celebrate his life as they wish, whether it’s with a silent prayer wishing him godspeed as he reunites with his folks, his wife Mary whom he adored, and the dear friends who passed before him; or with a loud, vibrant party full of laughter, music, dancing, and stories.

Ron’s wife Mary passed away in 2022. He is survived by his Aunt Jean Greer, his sister Sherry Reinhardt, daughter Stacy Ryle Landon and husband Joe, along with cousins and friends all of Oklahoma; and his stepdaughter Kelly Adcock and husband Donny; Kelly’s daughters who lovingly referred to Ron as Papa, Lauren Valenzuela and Madison Thomas, along with dear friends, all of Texas.