James Wallace Ryon

James Wallace Ryon, died January 2, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah, GA. He was born August 19, 1933 in Flint, Michigan, the son of Merle Duffy Ryon and Vera Emma Hamilton Ryon. He Graduated from Flint Central High School, and attended General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) earning the degree of Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering in 1956. He later took post-graduate courses in advanced engineering at the University of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies. James married Molly Ione Hutchison on March 13, 1954. They had three daughters, Deborah, Kathleen and Nancy. He was a member of the United States Army Reserve, serving on active duty in 1957. He worked for AC Spark Plug Division of General Motors Corporation as a Manufacturing Engineer and Supervisor of Process Engineering. He was licensed as a Register Professional Engineer by the State of Michigan in 1971. He retired from AC in 1987. with 36 years of service. He served on the Davison, Michigan Planning Commission for 14 years, and was elected Chairman in 1978. He was appointed Chairman of the City Ordinance Review Board in 1980. James was actively involved in church and school music activities. He was a member of the AC Spark Plug Male Chorus. He sang in church choirs as a soloist from 1948 until 2008. He enjoyed traveling with Molly and the children, and took one or more long road trips every year. He played tennis and golf, and was an avid reader. He was a Master Mason, a Lifetime Member of Flint Lodge, Number 23, F. & A.M.’s. He has been a member of White Bluff United Methodist Church since moving to Savannah in 2001. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Molly Ryon; daughters and sons-in-law: Deborah and Mickey Jones, Kathleen and Daniel Knopoff, Nancy and Frank Canales; five Granddaughters: Melissa Farrell, Michelle Etheridge, Jackie Duncan, Leslie Knopoff, and Sabrina Gager and by eight great-grandchildren: Nachelle Etheredge, Nasean Etheredge, Molly Farrell, Marc Wells, Aubri Wells, Kyle Duncan, Ian Duncan, and Collin Duncan, and by a brother, Larry Ryon and several nieces and nephews. Visitation: 6 – 7 p.m. Tuesday at Fairhaven Funeral Home, Hubert C. Baker Chapel. Memorial Service: 7 p.m.Tuesday in the Hubert C. Baker Chapel, with Rev. John Haney, pastor of White Bluff United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be Friday, Jan 8, 2016 at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, in Flint, Michigan 48504. Fairhaven Funeral Home, Hubert C. Baker Chapel is in charge.

James Wallace Ryon

August 19, 1933 - January 2, 2016