The Western Washington Coalition for Life is sad to announce that founding Board member, Earnest Tolbert Ryan, passed away on June 1, 2023. Earnie was born August 4, 1944, the oldest of eight children, in the small town of Bearden, Arkansas to his late parents Earnest S. Ryan and Mary Wingard. His family eventually moved to Yakima, WA, to find agricultural work. Earnie went into the army in 1962 at age 17, and was a proud member of the US First Cavalry in Vietnam. He married Rose Plant Ryan in 1968, and they traveled extensively during his tours of duty, before he retired from the Army in Yakima, after 20 years of service.
Earnie and Rose moved their family to Bremerton in 1987, where Earnie worked for 21 years at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard as an electrician. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1379 in Bremerton, and held many offices including Deputy Grand Knight, and he was a member of the 4th Degree Assembly #1540. Earnie and Rose were the couple many people at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church called on whenever they had needs. Earnie was an auxiliary member of the Altar Society and served as the one who barbecued at many events.
Over the years, many passersby have seen the Ryans praying out in front of Planned Parenthood in Bremerton, and when the house across from the facility went up for sale, the Ryans were instrumental in its purchase. Earnie and Rose have supported the prayer vigil and community outreach for many years, and have spent hours of prayer inside the House for Life when health reasons prevented them from praying outside. Earnie said that he had to do what he did because “we need to stand up for what we believe in.” He stood up for others in every job or role he fulfilled, in the Army, for his family and friends, for the unborn, and for anyone who could not stand up for themselves.
Earnie is survived by his loving wife, Rose, his son Earnest T. Ryan, Jr., daughter Theresa (Tom) Hansburger, son David (Christine) Ryan, grandchildren Gigi and Bella Ryan, Stephanie (Cody) Stinnett, Kevin Hansburger, Jade Hansburger, his great-grandchildren Jude, James, and Elizabeth Stinnett, and Gene and Addison Gray, along with numerous nieces and nephews. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Western Washington Coalition for Life, at the website wwcfl.org or mailing address at 4820 Ridgemont Drive NE, Bremerton, WA 98311.
“Well done, good and faithful servant…Come, share your Master’s joy.” Mt 25:21