Ryan Joseph Nathan was born on January 27, 1978 and grew up in Lawrence, KS, attending Lawrence High. He passed away from natural causes on May 23rd. He leaves behind his parents, Rich and Karla Nathan, his brother, Adam, two nieces, Leandra and Mayara. His extended family included Avahni, Makiah, and Katie Tree Pierson, Caitlin Hornbeck, and Thia Sleszynski.
No services will be held due to the current social distancing standards.
Ryan spent most of his working years as a cook, for a long time at Conroy’s Pub and most recently at Brandonwoods. He took his responsibilities for the welfare of the senior diners there very seriously in these days of Covid 19, and to keep them as well as his parents safe, he had given up his favorite thing in life, the loving hugs that everyone knew him for.
He was a kind, gentle man with a strong work ethic. He was such a hard worker that his family would refer to him as “The Machine” as he tackled jobs with a determination and tenacity. The same strength showed in his love of weight training and dedication to working out. There was rarely a day that his Fitbit showed less than 20,000 steps.
Ryan overcame a childhood of bullying for his learning disabilities, and many people never got a chance to know him because of the walls he put up from those experiences. Behind his quiet facade, was a witty sense of humor, and more thoughtfulness than you could expect to find in one person.
He preferred a low key lifestyle and had few requirements for happiness. Long walks with his mother and the dogs who adored him. Watching The Walking Dead series, a baking contest show, or a goofy comedy movie with his folks. Sitting on the patio and chatting about his day while his dad grilled steaks. Feeding all of the stray cats in the neighborhood. Playing a board game with his nieces. Hanging out with his brother, one on one. Lifting weights while listening to his extensive list of downloaded music. Googling things he was curious about. Making old friends laugh with his wit. He enjoyed washing and caring for his cars, the favorites over the years were an old Mustang, a Jaguar, and his latest, a Jeep. He was a lifelong fan of wrestling, and liked to watch past matches from years ago.
Ryan never wanted to leave a room without a hug and an “I love you”
Oh, karla, my deepest sympathy to you…
I am so sorry for the loss of Ryan. You had such a deep connection with your son. May God help you during this tragic time.
Karla, I have no words to express my sorrow at the loss of beautiful Ryan. You all have my deepest sympathy.
Dear Karla and Rich and family, I am so terribly sorry for your loss of your son, Ryan. Thank you for sharing his story and photos. May good memories fill your hearts and comfort you all. Sincerely, Lee
My goodness, I am so saddened by your loss of your beautiful son! With deepest sympathy, Jane Palmer
I am so sorry for your loss!
Dear Karla and family, My heart is saddened by the news of the loss of Ryan. i will be praying for peace and healing for all of you. I hope a time will come when you can remember happy times and that your heart will be comforted. So sorry.
Yvonnne
My deepest sympathy to you and your family on the loss of Ryan. Words are so inadequate at a time like this.
Karla and Rich-
We are so very sorry for the loss of this sweet soul. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. These photos are special. Thanks for posting the one with Joan and our mom. God bless you during this time.
Sending love,
Barb Shortal and family
My heart is broken for you, I have been in disbelief ever since I found out, as I am sure you are. You and Ryan had such a loving bond, I know how much you will miss him. He was sweet and kind. I remember visiting you (with Sandy) and he had the patience to sit and visit with us and listen to all of our silliness, such a sweetheart ! I cannot even express how broken my heart is for you, Rich, Adam, and the rest of the family. Love, Debbie and Harry
There are no words for such a loss. Please know that you have our deepest sympathies.
Oh, Karla, I am so sorry for your loss. Your post is such a nice tribute to Ryan. My sympathy for you and your family.
Karla, my heart is just broken for the lose of Ryan, your sweet son! He looked like such a sweet spirit with a gentle soul. May God’s grace cover you and your family, and may you find peace in knowing you have a wonderful Guardian Angel looking out for you. Godspeed to Ryan!
Karla, my heart aches for you. Please knw you are surrounded with love and light.
Karla, what a beautiful beautiful tribute to your beloved son, Ryan. The photos show how much he loved and cared for his family, as he was well loved by all.
He will always be with you in spirit. Be open to see the signs.
As he will be your guarding angel.
Praying for healing peace and comfort to you, Rich and your family.
Karla, Rich and Adam: I am so very sorry to read this. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain you all are feeling. We have sweet memories of Ryan and the times he spent with us in Russellville when the kids were young. You all are in our hearts and prayers. I am so sorry. Terri, Brett and Frankey
Karla this is just so awful and I am so very sorry. Sending prayers of comfort and lov.
I’m so sorry to hear about Ryan’s passing. I knew Ryan as a frequent customer at Walgreens. He would stop in on his way to or from a rough job at Standard Beverage. He was such a kind soul and I always looked forward to seeing him. His passing will be a huge loss for all the lives that he touched.
Sending you love and praying for you and your family. I can’t imagine the pain you are feeling right now. So sorry for your loss.
Karla, I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts
Oh Karky…I am so very sorry for your loss. I know the pain of losing a child so you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. May the good Lord give you comfort during this sad time. God Bless You!!😪
Karla, I am so saddened to hear of your loss. I am sending you, Rich, and all your family love and support.
Karla,
Such devastating news, I’m so sad to hear this. My prayers go out to you and your family.
XO Hugs!!
Dear Karla, I didn’t know your son and all the photos show what a wonderful person he was. My heart is breaking for this loss of your son. May you find comfort & joy in your memories soon. Sending love & prayers, Nancy Hamel
Karla, I am so sorry to hear of Ryan’s passing. The beautiful photos you posted show what a loving, wonderful young man he was. I was lucky to meet him and impressed at what a kind and thoughtful man he was. I am so sad and saying prayers for your family. Sending you love, Jeanie Hatch
Oh Karla, I’m so sorry for the loss of your dearly loved son Ryan. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers x
Oh Karla I’m so sad to read this. My heart is breaking for you. Ryan was always so kind and had a smile when we would come invading your spaces for crafting. Lovely pictures of you all. Thinking of your family. Our thoughts and condolences to you all ❤️
Karla & Rich, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
Hugs and prayers to you and your family.
Oh karla. I am so sad for you and your family. Know i am thinking of you. Lynne chase
Oh Karla, my heart breaks for you and your family. I’ve followed you and your writings about Ryan for years and years because he’s the same age as my Ryan, so I always thought of him as special, too. Love and hugs and all the best wishes to you in this sad time.
Hugs & prayers that the wonderful memories help get you through this loss. Thank you for sharing his pictures.
I am so very sorry for the loss of your handsome Ryan. I can see from his pictures that he was a sweet and loving man. You and your family will be in my prayers.
So very sorry about the loss of your son.Ryan, a good journey for you from time into eternity.You were loved.
I am so very sorry for your loss of Ryan. I am praying for your family. After reading the tribute to Ryan, it is easy to realize that he touched so many hearts.
Dear Karla, I am so sorry for the loss of your precious and beloved son, Ryan. My heart breaks for you and your family. Sending loving thoughts and prayers to you all, Rachael xo
Sending thoughts of peace and love to you.
My heart and thoughts are with you and your whole family~
Please consider yourself VERY hugged
Karla, words are of little consolation during a time like this but I, too, offer my deepest condolences and sympathies to you and all your family during what I know must be a gut-wrenching time of unbelievable sorrow. Your words describing the life and passions of your handsome Ryan are both beautiful and heartbreaking. Sending all love and wishes for peace and healing.
I am so sorry Karla.
Oh m Karla. I am so sorry I will hold you all close in my heart and prayers.
Oh Karla,
my heart goes out to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I am so so sorry to hear this very sads new.
I hug you in my heart.
Karen B. ~ Todolwen
I just read this now … I am overwhelmed with the sadness that this must bring to your life … the memories, and I am sure there are so very many more … that you shared here are so precious … the linger of his love and hugs will always be with you … so sorry to hear this very sad news.
Karla, my sincere condolences to you, Rich and the entire family. Your beautiful tribute to Ryan in words and pictures begins the long journey of mourning and then trying to recover from the grief. May warm and loving memories carry you through these difficult times. And may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your mind and soul and heart….
Karla, I am so terribly sorry to hear this devastating news. Sending you and your beautiful family all the love in the world. What a precious and remarkable tribute to such a beautiful soul. Every single photo seems to capture all your beautiful words that described him and the way he lived his life. I am hugging you so tight right now.
Karla, Rich and family… have tried to find the correct words to soften your heartache but cannot… but the words that did come to mind as I looked at these pictures were- love, kindness, laughter, son, uncle, peace, joy, a life filled to the brim in his short years, and memories for your family.. I hope you can find some peace and comfort in the coming days… many long distance hugs to your family…
I only know you and your family through your blog which I have followed for many years. I have not checked in in a while and could hardly believe what I read this morning. Ryan was born the same year as our oldest child and losing him or any of our children is just unimaginable. My heart is filled with sadness and my eyes are filled with tears knowing of the heartbreaking loss of your beautiful son. My heart felt condolences to each of you.
Hola. Lamento que su vida haya sido corta y haya terminado abruptamente, lo siento. Es muy doloroso, aún en la distancia y sin conoceros personalmente, ver la zarpa de la tragedia en vuestro precio entorno, es aterrador.
Para ti tengo el abrazo más grande que seas capaz de imaginar o desear.
Inma
… ver la zarpa de la tragedia en vuestro precioso entorno.
Salió mal antes la frase que escribí, por eso la envío de nuevo.