Stevenson & Sons Funeral Homes

Serving families in the Miles City, Forsyth, Lame Deer, Broadus, Circle, Jordan and Terry areas for three generations.

For Immediate Help Call
Miles City: 406-232-4457 — Forsyth: 406-346-2311

In Memory Of

James Ryan, age 90, of Jordan.

January 20, 1930 – January 6, 2021

James William Ryan, age 90, of Jordan passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at his home in Jordan surrounded by his family.

Jim was born in the Missouri Break Country in western Garfield County on January 20, 1930 to James and Elvira Ryan, the youngest of six children. He grew up on Indian Creek and attended Spring Creek Country School. He did not attend high school but later obtained his GED while in the service. In 1948, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force for three years. This time was later stretched out for another year. He was stationed at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. before shipping out to Nagoya, Japan where he served during the Korean Conflict era. He was honorably discharged and arrived back home on July 17, 1952. Jim married Jessie Knapp on February 18, 1953 in Roundup, Montana. To this union, five children were born: Pat in 1954, Ed in 1957, twins Bonnie and Bev in 1959 and Marilyn in 1961. While in the service, Jim learned the trade of meat butchering and he and Jessie started “Ryan’s Grocery” a grocery store and butcher shop in Jordan. All the kids worked there during school and it is still run by Ed and Reid Ryan. Jessie passed in 2003. Jim later married Mary Vega on May 4, 2013.

Jim was very involved in the community, serving as a volunteer fireman, he was an EMT and ambulance driver for many years and was a very active in the VFW.

Jim is survived by his wife Mary; son, Ed (Lori) Ryan; three daughters: Bonnie (Robb) Bischoff; Beverly (Pat) Gibbs; and Marilyn Howell; seven grandchildren: Roni (Jason) Bollinger, Heidi (Josh) Sian, Reid (Bethany) Ryan, Bill (Bridgette) Gibbs, Jay (Emily) Gibbs, Nate Howell and Matt Howell; and nine great grandchildren: Kalob and Kinly Bollinger, Cayson, Ashtyn and Brexly Sian, Jessa Jo Ryan, Garnet, Thomas Jay and Benjamin Gibbs; and a sister June Loomis.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, a son Patrick Ronald Ryan in 1970 and his wife Jessie in 2003; two brothers: George Ryan and John Ryan, a sister, Marguerite Shawver and a half-sister, Sara Hellyer.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 8, 2021 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Jordan. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Garfield County High School Gymnasium. Military graveside services will follow in the Pioneer Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.

Service Schedule

Visitation

1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Friday January 8, 2021

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

Jordan, Montana 59337

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Funeral Service

10:00 a.m.

Saturday January 9, 2021

Jordan High School Gymnasium

Jordan, Montana 59337

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Graveside Service with Full Military Honors

Saturday January 9, 2021

Pioneer Cemetery

Jordan, Montana 59337

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Service Schedule

Visitation

1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Friday January 8, 2021

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

Jordan, Montana 59337

View map

Funeral Service

10:00 a.m.

Saturday January 9, 2021

Jordan High School Gymnasium

Jordan, Montana 59337

View map

Graveside Service with Full Military Honors

Saturday January 9, 2021

Pioneer Cemetery

Jordan, Montana 59337

View map

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Memories

Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.

  1. So sad, he was always the nicest friendliest around. Rest in piece Jim, have some coffee and reminisce with Ralph and friends. Another from that generation gone to glory. Praying for all the family to have comfort from their memories. Edwin and Janet Clark

  2. You will be missed by so many Uncle Jim. Love and prayers to your family. I thank the Lord for the amazing long life you lived and the souls you touched along the way. God Bless.

  3. Life in Garfield County has ended as we know it!! Jim was alway there. What a friendly face God has added to those greeting us as we enter Heaven. Our prayers to Jimmy’s family🙏
    Bill and Rita Fitz

  4. Ryan Family,
    Jim will always hold a special place, he and Jessie were my first bosses. What great people to work for, and I learned so much. He always had time for a visit with me when I would stop in the store. Sorry for your and the communities loss.
    Jana Hance

  6. So sorry Bev, Marilyn, Eddie, and Bonnie. May God be with you in this time of sorrow. What a great legacy your father left behind.

  7. So very sorry for your loss. May God be with you in your sorrow and bless you with many happy memories. Jim was such a wonderful soul, friend to everyone and loved by all. Prayers to all.🙏🙏❣❣😥

  8. My Deepest Condolences To Ed, And The Entire Ryan Family!! Jimmy, Will Always Be Remembered For His Countless Contributions To The Garfield County Community And The Thousands Of Lives He Touched During His Time On Earth!! Hundreds Of High School Students Worked At Ryan’s Grocery And Thousands Of Children Swam In The Jordan Swimming Over The Years!! His Legacy Is One Of Determination, Untiring Dedication And Above All Selfless Community Service!! I’m Sure Jimmy’s Smiling On His Family And Jordan Montana…. With A Huge Smile And Unconditional Love!
    God’s Peace And Love Over The Enire
    Family!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

  9. Condolences to the Ryan family. Uncle Jimmy did so much for Garfield County. He made sure the veterans were recognized and he was the one who always invited me to the 4th of July activities. He was never to busy to stop for a visit when we visited family in Jordan. He will be missed. Now he can spend time with the family that passed before him. It will be a lonely sad time for those he left behind and took good care of him in his last days. Thank you. He left behind big shoes too fill.

  10. My deepest condolences to Jim’s family. Enjoyed working with Jim on the ambulance service and working for Jim and Jessie at the store. After moving from Jordan, and coming back to visit or stopping by the store on the way to the lake for our annual MT walleye fishing trip, Jim always had a smile and time to visit. We will miss seeing him. I hope the many memories of times spent with Jim bring comfort to his many family members and friends.

  11. SINCERE CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS FOR MARY AND ALL OF JIM’S FAMILY. HE WILL BE REMEMBERED AS A GREAT PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY AND FOR HIS SERVICE, SUPPORT,AND DEDICATION TO THE COMMUNITY ,HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL .GOD BLEE ALL OF YOU

  12. I worked at the store when I was 16. He was a great boss. He expected you to show up on time, be presentable, and earn your paycheck. As long as you treated him and your job with the respect they both deserved, he treated you very well. I’ll forever be thankful for the work ethic I gained working for him. Jordan wouldn’t be what it is now without Jimmy. He built quite the small town empire. He will be greatly missed.

  13. Condolences to all of Uncle Jims family,Mary,Ed,Reid,Bonnie,Beverly and Marilyn.We will miss being greeted with that big smile.I was one of the lucky ones to have grown up in a home of love and guidance from Jim.Rest in peace Uncle.Love and hugs to all.

  14. So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing he will be greatly missed by all he touched so many lives I spent alot of time with him in my years in Jordan he taught me the value of hard work which have always been thankful for so to Jim’s family you are in our prayers

  15. My Mother, Mary Kindt (Guesanburu) always spoke highly of you, Jim. She says that you were “one of the largest influences in her life” especially in her youth. We are praying and sending thoughts of love to the Ryan family and the Community of Jordan.

  16. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Mary, and all of Jims families. He, with his big smile , and always friendly hello, will be missed by many. May you all have comfort with your many year’s of wonderful memories.God Bless!

  17. Ryan Family,
    Jim was an awesome person and a true citizen of Jordan. He always had a big smile on his face and always seemed happy to see you when you walked into the store. His commitment to making Jordan the best possible place to live was displayed in all of the efforts he undertook to improve the community. May you all find peace in knowing his work here will be rewarded for eternity. God Bless Donovan

  18. Mary and the whole Ryan Family,
    Myron & I are so sorry for your loss..Jim sure helped a lot of us during tough times and was always there with a big smile that just made our day better for it. He will be greatly missed but Heaven is full of smiles and visiting today.

  19. My sincere sympathies to Ed and all of the family. It was always a joy to say hello to Jim at the store. I would always make it a priority look into his office upon arrival to see if he was there. God bless you Jim. May your memories bring your family and friends comfort during this difficult time. God bless you all!

  20. Life goes on, but it won’t be the same without Jim. All of the good times Ross & I had with the whole family is something that we treasure…there are so many fun memories that there isn’t enough space to write them all down…I would miss some of them anyway. Jim always had time for anyone and took time from his work and life to make sure everyone was doing okay and staying safe. He and Jessie employed so many young people over the years and left a lasting impression on all of them. I will miss the coffee, hugs, and visits at the store. It won’t be the same going by his cabin without him there grilling steaks and potatoes. To all of Jim’s family–you are his legacy now–be at peace knowing that Jim is with all of his departed family and friends and is probably throwing one whale of a party in Heaven!

  21. Jim was a great man. Im not sure this surprises anyone but I too worked at the grocery store. He will be missed. Prayers are being sent your way.

  22. My condolences to all of the Ryan family – may all your wonderful memories over these many years be a comfort to you. I never worked at the store but served on the City-County Park Board (swimming pool) with him for many years and truly enjoyed working with him. He did so much for his community and for the VFW – he was a proud service man. Hugs and love to each of you.

  23. I so loved coming into Ryan’s and seeing Jimmy. I used tell him if he ever got tired of his big sheep picture with the Pyrenees dog, I’d take it off his hands. He was a great inspiration and such a strong supporter of 4-H when I was a 4-Her. I’m sure he must have bought at least one of my animals. He will be greatly missed. Sympathy to the whole family.

  24. So very sorry for your loss. Jim was such a fine man and I know he will be greatly missed.

  26. Sorry for the loss of a very good person ,the world a lesser place with out you RIP JIMMY

  27. Jim, I will miss our annual meetings! You inched your way into my heart each year we met to discuss tax season at our annual Food Show in Salt Lake City, UT. To the entire Ryan family, my heart is broken at our loss of Jim. Please accept my condolences. He was truly a special soul with a very giving heart. Love to you all.

  28. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Jim was a wonderful example that we could all learn from. Good, kind, honorable and always giving back to the community. It was an honor to know him. He will be remembered always and fondly.

  29. I had the honor of meeting Jim on multiple occasions when spending time with his sister-in-law and my cherished friend Ruth Coulter. I know he touched many lives in the community of Jordan. I always look forward to stopping at the grocery store to pick up some of the wonderful smoked meats – the best I’ve ever tasted! My sincere condolences to his family, his friends and the community of Jordan.

  30. I can’t think of anyone in the Jordan/Garfield County community that has done any more for the town/county. From hiring so many kids and adults to getting the swimming pool established to making sure all veterans were honored and buying many fair animals and extending credit when it was no doubt known it would be a long time before payment. While doing all that he raised a family, ran a business and all that comes with those accomplishments, along with many hours of volunteer service.
    I will always remember fondly that sparkling smile that all the kids and many grandkids have, the lobster feeds at the house before the cabin became “the place” and being called “Sis” like many of the girls growing up in the community were. Thanks for always seeming genuinely interested in our lives. Thanks for giving Mom a job MANY years ago when the store was on the north side of Main street and again many years after her actual retirement. It gave her wonderful purpose then. To our family you were important and kind.
    To Jim’s family- thanks for always sharing him with us in the community. God bless you all. Cheers to a life well lived.

  31. I had the great privilege to work for Jim at Ryan’s Grocery. It was my first job and Jim was patient and kind and a man of the highest integrity. I will always be grateful for his instruction and care. I never did quite learn how to squat and lift with my legs instead of my back and I am reminded daily that I should have been a better student. I extend my sincere sympathy to Jim’s family and dear friends.

  32. Sympathy to Mary and All of Jim’s Family. There are no words to express the fond memory of Jim and his caring nature. He and Jessie built a business that has served Garfield County very well and their generous donations through out the years have helped many citizens of our community. God Bless All of You as you say good-bye to a very amazing man.

  33. Ryan family…so sorry for your loss. Would always visit Ryan’s Grocery when visiting family in Jordan. May God bless the family left behind…everyone will all be together again some day. Prayers for all.

  36. I never saw Jim with a frown on his face, only smiles. Always enjoyed visiting with him at meat conventions, he always had something to share. Some of the best photos I have of conventions are those of him with others, with his ever-present smile. Simply put, it was a joy to be around him.

  37. Ed, Bonnie, Bev and Marilyn and your families:
    Your father was one of the kindest and nicest man. He always welcomed you to the store. He would always remember who you were even if you hadn’t been there for 15 years. Garfield County won’t be the same. My thoughts are definitely with you all. Your Mom and Dad were icons in our community. What a beautiful legacy they left with their children and grandchildren. ❤️

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