James King Ryan
Passed away peacefully on July 15, 2021 age 91 with his family by his side. Loving father of Mary, Kathleen (Greg), Jacqueline and Joseph; caring grandfather of Alexis, James and Rachel (Robbie); Poppy Jim to his great-grandchildren, Jaden and newborn Ellie. Leaves behind Faithful companion of 30 years, Esther, whom he dearly cherished.
Jimmy was born and raised in San Francisco’s Sunset District when it was still mostly sand dunes, which he talked about often. He was of the first graduating class at Holy Name School. He attended Poly High and graduated from Lick-Wilmerding. He loved motorcycles and old autos, and owned many different ones that he worked on throughout his life. He was ecstatic when his son drove up to visit him in a Tesla, as he saw electric as the future of cars.
He Proudly served his Country in the US Army in Korea, starting in 1951. After his Honorable Discharge, he became a Machinist and was at the time of his death a retired 50 year Veteran of The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. James retired from the City and County of San Francisco after 20 years of faithful service; first at the MUNI yards as a mechanic, then SFPD Garage on Bryant, then SFFD Maintenance as a Supervisor. He started running Marathons in 1979 and throughout his life ran a total of 25 of them, mostly with his friends that ran in the SFPD. His goal was to run SF, NYC, Boston and the Marine Corp Marathons, all of which he succeeded in achieving. Only a bad knee prevented him from running more, but then he took up Golf with his retired buddies from the Sunset and managed to hit a Hole in One in tournament play.
He was a proud lifelong Democrat, loved watching CNN, and was thrilled beyond measure when fellow Catholic, Joe Biden swept the Presidency.
His interests also included reading and researching WWII History, especially the battles, for which you could ask him a question and he would know the answer. He was able to visit Omaha Beach on the 50th Anniversary of the landing, and traveled back to Korea in the 90’s and stood at the DMZ; both of which were on his bucket list. He traveled often before he could no longer do so, all over the USA and especially loved going with this friends in the SFPD to the Mexican Rivera and the resorts there in the 80’s and 90’s, where he loved to play tennis. He held many happy memories of those days.
His family misses him dearly.
Friends may visit Thursday, July 22, from 4:30-6pm at DUGGANS SERRA MORTUARY, 500 Westlake Avenue, Daly City where a Vigil/Prayer service will be held at 6pm, with final visitation 10-11am on Friday. A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated Friday, July 23 at 12 Noon at St. Stephens Catholic Church followed by military committal and burial at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno at 2:00 pm.