Gregory Ryan

Gregory Michael Ryan left this earth unexpectedly Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, after a fatal grand mal seizure. He had a warm heart and an outstanding mind.

He had bumps in the road along the way, but he forever tried to find a way to get around them. He always said he "would like to be a little boy again." His memories of his Mommo and Poppo Maevers were embedded in his mind. As of Saturday he joined them with open arms and once again he became the son they never had. What a glorious homecoming that was for him and them.

Greg was a good son, not without faults but always to me, his mother, a loving giving person. He struggled throughout his life with ups and downs, but juggled those times as best he could. He leaves his children with a legacy -- "What I did wrong, you can fix for your children." He loved his children with all his heart and soul. Little did I know this would be the last e-mail I received from him.

"Those whose trust is in the Lord shall soar with eagle wings.

"Knock, Knock. I knocked at heaven's door this morning, God asked me, 'My child, what can I do for you?' And I said 'Father, please protect and bless the person reading this message.'

"God smiled and answered, 'Request granted.' If you believe, 'Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'"

You're home my son, give Mommo and Poppo a hug. We'll see you later. XXO Mom

Gregory Michael Ryan, 50, of Cape Girardeau was born Sept. 23, 1958, in Cape Girardeau, son of Richard Ryan and Betty Lou Maevers. Previously married to Stacey Storey and Marti Scholl.

He was a 1977 graduate of Central High School and a 1981 magna cum laude graduate of Southeast Missouri State University.

Greg operated video stores several years for the Kenneth Story Group. He was owner and operator of Snappy Delivery in Cape Girardeau two years.

Survivors include his father, Richard Ryan and stepmother Donna of Jackson; mother, Betty Lou Vogel and stepfather Don of Cape Girardeau; three children, Nicholas Ryan of San Francisco, Natalie and Eli Ryan of Oxford, Miss.; a brother, Bradley Ryan of Parker, Colo.; a sister, Dr. Janice Martin and brother-in-law Dr. Timothy Martin of Overland Park, Kan.; nieces, Melissa and Michelle Martin of Overland Park, and Rachel Ryan of Parker; and a nephew, Tanner Ryan of Parker.

He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Lawrence and Lorene Maevers, and paternal grandparents, Roy and Nancy Ryan.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Paul Short officiating. Interment will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Kenneth Storey, John Mehner, Michael Jackson, Timothy Martin, Sam Unnerstall and Vern Hopkins.

Memorials requested to St. Andrew Lutheran Church.