James Arthur "Jim" Ryan

James Arthur "Jim" Ryan, 87, of Bella Vista passed away quietly at his home on Thursday, April 13th. He was born on Feb. 1, 1930 in St. Paul, Minn., to the late James A. Ryan and Gladys Neal Ryan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John Ryan. He is survived by his loving wife, Neaomie Ryan of Bella Vista, and was blessed to live in a sorority house, as he loving referred to his two daughters, Diana Holmes, and husband Dinnis of Lowell and Linda Look, and husband Danny of Bella Vista. He enjoyed his five grandchildren; Misty Garvin, and husband Shawn, of Keller, Texas, Angela Sockrider of Bentonville, Heather Hall of Fayetteville, Chantel Dunson of Bentonville, and Justin Sockrider and wife Elizabeth, of Bella Vista. Great-grandchildren; Nathen Stines, Brooke Stines, Dylan Garvin, Zoe Griffis, Brandon Dunson, Vanessa Reding, and Lyric Coty. And was blessed to see five generations when his two great-great granddaughters, Kendra Stines and Daisy Ashford, both of Bentonville, were born. He loved plying his craft as a tool and die maker for over 30 years, but also owned several farms in Redkey, Indiana because he, "wanted to learn all about farming" before he and his wife moved to Bentonville. He enjoyed dabbling in real estate at Countryside Realty in Bentonville, which him and his wife owned for almost twenty years. Jim proudly served in the United State Navy and was stationed in San Diego, California on the USS Carmick, a DMS-33 Destroyer. He was a 32nd degree mason and served as a Past Master Mason of the local lodge in Redkey, Indiana. He was a long-time member of the New Life Christian Church (formerly the First Christian Church) in Bella Vista, and served as an Elder there for several years. He loved working hand in hand with his fellow Rotarians within the Bentonville community, and also served as President. He was an active Shriner and served as a 2nd Vice President at the local Bentonville Shriners Club. He also served as Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star, alongside of his wife, Neaomie, who was serving as Worthy Matron at the time, also in Redkey, Indiana. Jim would always chuckle and say he played, "at" golf, loved tinkering around in his woodshop, and was an avid Arkansas Razorback basketball fan. His quick wit and funny quips will be sorely missed by his family and friends, he was deeply loved. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 18 from 5–7 p.m. at Callison-Lough Funeral Home in Bentonville. His family will celebrate his life on Wednesday, April 19 at 2 p.m. at New Life Christian Church, 103 Riordan Road in Bella Vista, with the interment to follow in Bella Vista Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are under the care of Callison-Lough Funeral Home in Bentonville. www.CallisonLough.com.