Edward J. Ryan Jr.

Edward J. Ryan, Jr., of Endicott, New York, passed away on December 5, 2025.
Ed was born in Portland, Maine, on July 20, 1932. After graduating from South Portland High in 1951, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where his friends nicknamed him “Paddy.” He taught B-29 turret system essentials at Yokota Air Base, Japan, during the Korean War. In 1954, Paddy married fellow Air Force member Julie L. Rossi of Endicott, New York. Ed, Julie and son Philip traveled together as a family throughout his military career.
In 1959 Paddy was promoted to Master Sergeant. He was then selected for officer training and commissioned in 1962. His next appointments were Officer Aide to Major General Gilbert L. Meyers, Squadron Commander at Myrtle Beach AFB; Chief of Air Force Postal and Courier Operations in Tehran, Iran; and Chief, Information Systems Development Branch, Pentagon. His service awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal. He retired as a Major in 1974.
In 1976, Ed earned a Doctor of Business Administration Degree from The George Washington University and entered academia. He was a faculty member at Nichols College, Saint Bonaventure University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Rockhurst University in Kansas City Missouri, and Millsaps College. Dr. Ryan received many teaching awards and authored numerous articles published in national and international journals. He retired as Professor of Marketing at Millsaps College in 1994.
He is preceded in death by wife Julie; parents Edward J. Ryan, Sr. and Sarah Elizabeth O’Neill Ryan; step mother Pearl Rogers LaMothe Ryan; sister Teresa Nelson Libby; and brother Philip David Ryan. He is survived by son Philip D. Ryan and daughter-in-law Karen; and best friends Becky, Jeffrey, and Ben Taylor.
Ed will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.