Cover photo for John Frank Ryals's Obituary
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John Frank Ryals

June 1, 1925 — April 30, 2016

John Frank Ryals was born in Houston County on June 1, 1925, son of John Thomas and Annie Clyde Mathews Ryals. He was raised along with two brothers and two sisters on the family farm on property that belonged to the family since the 1830's. He graduated from Perry High School in 1942 and immediately went to work in the Supply Division on Robins Air Force Base.

Upon turning eighteen in 1943, he entered the Army for World War II and served in the 314th Regiment 79th Infantry Division for 27 months. He entered France on July 1, 1944 as a Combat Medic for the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon for Regimental Headquarters. Much of his time was spent on missions in front of the allied lines. On January 19, 1945 he was captured by the Germans in Dresenheim, France. He spent the rest of the War as a POW in a number of camps in Germany. He was liberated on April 19, 1945, at Moosberg, Germany. For the last several years he enjoyed attending the 314th Regiment reunions held in Charleston, Cleveland, New Orleans, and Daytona, among others.

Upon returning home after the war, he resumed his career at Robins AFB in Jan 1946. He progressed from a GS-02 position in the warehouse to GM-15 in 1972 and retired in 1986 as Deputy System Manager for the F-15 Directorate. He received numerous awards, including the Air Force Civilian Meritorious Service Award. In 1989, he was contacted by the research company Battelle Memorial Institute. Unable to resist continued involvement with Robins AFB, he accepted an offer to open a local office. He retired from that position in 1998.

His true passion through the years has been his involvement in the Houston County Association for Exceptional Citizens (Happy Hour School and Workshop). While in the Jaycees, he was heavily involved in the building of the original Happy Hour Workshop building in 1964. He served as a volunteer and Board of Directors member for over fifty years, serving twenty-three terms as President. He worked seven years with the Georgia State Special Olympics Summer Games in Warner Robins, serving as Executive Director for two years. He earned the distinction of being called "Mr. Happy Hour" in honor of his dedication. As a result of his dedication and service, he was selected as a member of the first group of inductees into the Warner Robins Hall of Fame in 2012.

John is survived by his wife of sixty-nine years, the former Wilma Nell Tippett of Tippettville Ga, two sons, John (Ann) and Jimmy (the inspiration for his years of involvement in special needs organizations and activities). He is also survived by his brother Charles Ryals of Warner Robins; three grandchildren, Ashley Pierce (Joey), Johnny Ryals, and Jamie Ryals and three great-grandchildren; Shelby Baughcum, Westin Pierce, and Tessa Pierce and niece Sandra (Neil) Strickland (Brunswick GA).

John is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Jay Ryals; his brother, Marvin (Helon) Ryals of Orlando, Florida, and his sisters, Mary Rape (Palmore) of Brunswick, and Katherine Ryals of Warner Robins and nephew Terry (Lynda) Rape of Brunswick.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 3, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at Central Baptist Church. Afterwards, Mr. Ryals will be laid to rest in Magnolia Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be given in memory of John Ryals to the Houston County Association for Exceptional Citizens, 202 North Davis Drive PMB 164, Warner Robins GA 31093.

Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Frank Ryals, please visit our flower store.

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Visitation

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

6:00 - 8:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Funeral Service

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Starts at 2:00 pm (Eastern time)

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