On Tuesday, November 3, 2009, James Edwards Ryle, 88, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jim was born on June 7, 1921 in Florida City, Florida to parents, James Ivey Ryle and Constance Edwards Ryle, the first of three children and the only boy. He attended Edison High School in Miami and graduated in 1937 at the age of 16.
Jim married Myrtice Beckham, his devoted and loving wife of 71 years. They enjoyed a happy an full life starting out as teenagers and growing up together. Their sense of humor and commitment to one another contributed to a life of love, laughter and hand holding.
Jim started working with Southern Bell as a mail boy. He worked there and AT&T for 43 years before retiring and was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers. It was his idea to develop the concept of phone stores where people could come in and select their phones and service. He worked in numerous cities including Miami, Hialeah, Ft. Lauderdale, New York, Atlanta and Gainesville, Florida where he was district manager from 1961-1965.
After retiring he returned to Gainesville in 1982 and spent his remaining years. He served in the United States Navy as a fire man and was a former member of the Kiwanis Club. He was an avid saltwater fisherman all his life, growing up fishing in Miami and the Florida Keys. He passed along his love of the sport to his wife, son and daughter. He spent many wonderful vacations at St. George Island, Florida with his family.
As a member of Northwest Baptist Church for over 20 years he, at various times, served as deacon, Sunday school teacher and prayer chain leader. He loved serving the Lord and loved his church and all its members. Jim loved food, seafood in particular, swimming, whistling, water fights, boating, dancing, a good joke, a catchy tune and the Florida Gators. Jim was a kind, funny, loving, gentle, compassionate, Christian man who treated everyone with dignity and respect. He was an honest, hardworking, dedicated husband, father, brother, grandfather and uncle who was the rock and foundation of our family.
Jim is survived by his wife Myrtice B. Ryle, daughter Helen R. Walker, son James Richard Ryle, granddaughters Dianne W. Haygood and Sandra L. Gillis (Jody), great-grandchildren Melanie Richards, Sara Haygood, Sean Gillis and Zane Gillis, great great grandson Joseph Richards and sisters Betty Servatt and Patricia Pepper as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. We'll miss you Poppa!
Family will receive friends on Friday, November 6, 2009 from 5 to 7 PM at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Ave. Services will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Northwest Baptist Church, 5514 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville, 32606 Entombment will follow at Forest Meadows Memorial Park Central, 4100 NW 39th Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northwest Baptist Church in Jim's memory. Arrangements are entrusted to Forest Meadows Funeral Home, Cemeteries, and Crematory. Please sign our guestbook at www.forestmeadowsfh.com Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on November 6, 2009
Jim was born on June 7, 1921 in Florida City, Florida to parents, James Ivey Ryle and Constance Edwards Ryle, the first of three children and the only boy. He attended Edison High School in Miami and graduated in 1937 at the age of 16.
Jim married Myrtice Beckham, his devoted and loving wife of 71 years. They enjoyed a happy an full life starting out as teenagers and growing up together. Their sense of humor and commitment to one another contributed to a life of love, laughter and hand holding.
Jim started working with Southern Bell as a mail boy. He worked there and AT&T for 43 years before retiring and was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers. It was his idea to develop the concept of phone stores where people could come in and select their phones and service. He worked in numerous cities including Miami, Hialeah, Ft. Lauderdale, New York, Atlanta and Gainesville, Florida where he was district manager from 1961-1965.
After retiring he returned to Gainesville in 1982 and spent his remaining years. He served in the United States Navy as a fire man and was a former member of the Kiwanis Club. He was an avid saltwater fisherman all his life, growing up fishing in Miami and the Florida Keys. He passed along his love of the sport to his wife, son and daughter. He spent many wonderful vacations at St. George Island, Florida with his family.
As a member of Northwest Baptist Church for over 20 years he, at various times, served as deacon, Sunday school teacher and prayer chain leader. He loved serving the Lord and loved his church and all its members. Jim loved food, seafood in particular, swimming, whistling, water fights, boating, dancing, a good joke, a catchy tune and the Florida Gators. Jim was a kind, funny, loving, gentle, compassionate, Christian man who treated everyone with dignity and respect. He was an honest, hardworking, dedicated husband, father, brother, grandfather and uncle who was the rock and foundation of our family.
Jim is survived by his wife Myrtice B. Ryle, daughter Helen R. Walker, son James Richard Ryle, granddaughters Dianne W. Haygood and Sandra L. Gillis (Jody), great-grandchildren Melanie Richards, Sara Haygood, Sean Gillis and Zane Gillis, great great grandson Joseph Richards and sisters Betty Servatt and Patricia Pepper as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. We'll miss you Poppa!
Family will receive friends on Friday, November 6, 2009 from 5 to 7 PM at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Ave. Services will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Northwest Baptist Church, 5514 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville, 32606 Entombment will follow at Forest Meadows Memorial Park Central, 4100 NW 39th Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northwest Baptist Church in Jim's memory. Arrangements are entrusted to Forest Meadows Funeral Home, Cemeteries, and Crematory. Please sign our guestbook at www.forestmeadowsfh.com Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on November 6, 2009
On Tuesday, November 3, 2009, James Edwards Ryle, 88, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jim was born on June 7, 1921 in Florida City, Florida to parents, James Ivey Ryle and Constance Edwards Ryle, the first of three children and the only boy. He attended Edison High School in Miami and graduated in 1937 at the age of 16.
Jim married Myrtice Beckham, his devoted and loving wife of 71 years. They enjoyed a happy an full life starting out as teenagers and growing up together. Their sense of humor and commitment to one another contributed to a life of love, laughter and hand holding.
Jim started working with Southern Bell as a mail boy. He worked there and AT&T for 43 years before retiring and was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers. It was his idea to develop the concept of phone stores where people could come in and select their phones and service. He worked in numerous cities including Miami, Hialeah, Ft. Lauderdale, New York, Atlanta and Gainesville, Florida where he was district manager from 1961-1965.
After retiring he returned to Gainesville in 1982 and spent his remaining years. He served in the United States Navy as a fire man and was a former member of the Kiwanis Club. He was an avid saltwater fisherman all his life, growing up fishing in Miami and the Florida Keys. He passed along his love of the sport to his wife, son and daughter. He spent many wonderful vacations at St. George Island, Florida with his family.
As a member of Northwest Baptist Church for over 20 years he, at various times, served as deacon, Sunday school teacher and prayer chain leader. He loved serving the Lord and loved his church and all its members. Jim loved food, seafood in particular, swimming, whistling, water fights, boating, dancing, a good joke, a catchy tune and the Florida Gators. Jim was a kind, funny, loving, gentle, compassionate, Christian man who treated everyone with dignity and respect. He was an honest, hardworking, dedicated husband, father, brother, grandfather and uncle who was the rock and foundation of our family.
Jim is survived by his wife Myrtice B. Ryle, daughter Helen R. Walker, son James Richard Ryle, granddaughters Dianne W. Haygood and Sandra L. Gillis (Jody), great-grandchildren Melanie Richards, Sara Haygood, Sean Gillis and Zane Gillis, great great grandson Joseph Richards and sisters Betty Servatt and Patricia Pepper as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. We'll miss you Poppa!
Family will receive friends on Friday, November 6, 2009 from 5 to 7 PM at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Ave. Services will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Northwest Baptist Church, 5514 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville, 32606 Entombment will follow at Forest Meadows Memorial Park Central, 4100 NW 39th Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northwest Baptist Church in Jim's memory. Arrangements are entrusted to Forest Meadows Funeral Home, Cemeteries, and Crematory. Please sign our guestbook at www.forestmeadowsfh.com Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on November 6, 2009
Jim was born on June 7, 1921 in Florida City, Florida to parents, James Ivey Ryle and Constance Edwards Ryle, the first of three children and the only boy. He attended Edison High School in Miami and graduated in 1937 at the age of 16.
Jim married Myrtice Beckham, his devoted and loving wife of 71 years. They enjoyed a happy an full life starting out as teenagers and growing up together. Their sense of humor and commitment to one another contributed to a life of love, laughter and hand holding.
Jim started working with Southern Bell as a mail boy. He worked there and AT&T for 43 years before retiring and was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers. It was his idea to develop the concept of phone stores where people could come in and select their phones and service. He worked in numerous cities including Miami, Hialeah, Ft. Lauderdale, New York, Atlanta and Gainesville, Florida where he was district manager from 1961-1965.
After retiring he returned to Gainesville in 1982 and spent his remaining years. He served in the United States Navy as a fire man and was a former member of the Kiwanis Club. He was an avid saltwater fisherman all his life, growing up fishing in Miami and the Florida Keys. He passed along his love of the sport to his wife, son and daughter. He spent many wonderful vacations at St. George Island, Florida with his family.
As a member of Northwest Baptist Church for over 20 years he, at various times, served as deacon, Sunday school teacher and prayer chain leader. He loved serving the Lord and loved his church and all its members. Jim loved food, seafood in particular, swimming, whistling, water fights, boating, dancing, a good joke, a catchy tune and the Florida Gators. Jim was a kind, funny, loving, gentle, compassionate, Christian man who treated everyone with dignity and respect. He was an honest, hardworking, dedicated husband, father, brother, grandfather and uncle who was the rock and foundation of our family.
Jim is survived by his wife Myrtice B. Ryle, daughter Helen R. Walker, son James Richard Ryle, granddaughters Dianne W. Haygood and Sandra L. Gillis (Jody), great-grandchildren Melanie Richards, Sara Haygood, Sean Gillis and Zane Gillis, great great grandson Joseph Richards and sisters Betty Servatt and Patricia Pepper as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. We'll miss you Poppa!
Family will receive friends on Friday, November 6, 2009 from 5 to 7 PM at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Ave. Services will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Northwest Baptist Church, 5514 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville, 32606 Entombment will follow at Forest Meadows Memorial Park Central, 4100 NW 39th Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northwest Baptist Church in Jim's memory. Arrangements are entrusted to Forest Meadows Funeral Home, Cemeteries, and Crematory. Please sign our guestbook at www.forestmeadowsfh.com Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on November 6, 2009
Gravesite Details
His gravestone is located outside the mausoleum, at the highest point of the wall, perhaps 20' above the ground. For this reason, is was impossible to take a close-up photo, unfortunately.
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