Patrick Ryan

Patrick Joseph Ryan of Wenatchee, WA was reunited with his beloved wife in heaven on July 8, 2026. He passed away at home in the loving care of his children and grandchildren after an extended battle with pancreatic cancer. Born December 11, 1942 in Rochester, MN to Dr. Bernard Ryan and MaryAnne Ryan (Messenger); he was the third eldest of eight. He grew up in Alameda, CA until the family relocated to Spokane, WA when he was in high school. His youth was spent getting into mischief with his brothers, tinkering with his HAM radio, joyriding, and playing games with the neighborhood children. After graduating high school, Patrick moved to the Yakima Valley for work and to continue his education. There, he met the love of his life, Kathleen Edwards. The pair wed on June 15th 1963, at St Paul’s Cathedral in Yakima, WA. The newlyweds welcomed three beautiful daughters and Patrick worked as a grocer to support his young family before moving to Seattle where he had the opportunity to apprentice to become an optician. He fell in love with the profession as he obtained his license in a few short years and then moved his family to the Wenatchee Valley to manage a new optical store for his employer. They became members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, were active in various clubs and social groups, and made many friends. In time, they lovingly grew their family to include beautiful twin daughters. Patrick will forever be admired and adored for his embodiment of integrity and altruism, for his tremendous faith in God’s Plan, and for his absolute devotion to Kathleen, his beloved wife of 63 years. His empathy and concern for the well-being of his fellow man led him to a live a life in service of others. He had a genuine interest in others and listened attentively, noticed what may be needed, and responded with kindness. His life reflected the belief that helping people wasn’t something he talked about – it was something he did. If he had the ability to brighten a day with even a small gesture he would do so and he delighted in the endeavor. He lived with a moral clarity that earned him trust from family, friends, and community members alike. His marriage was an inspiration for many. He was shining example for how a partner and parent should love, provide for, protect, and nurture their family. Patrick excelled in the optical field. He was a member of the Washington State Opticians Board and wrote testing materials for future opticians. Eventually, Patrick and Kathleen decided to open their own optical store. They opened Evergreen Optical together and as the business grew they expanded to open Apple City Optical and a third location in the Wenatchee Valley Clinic. Patrick’s eldest daughter, Katherine, followed in his footsteps and apprenticed under him to earn her optician’s license. Together they served the Wenatchee Valley’s optical needs for almost four decades. Patrick was an inquisitive, life-long learner. His interests included history and mechanical sciences, and he taught himself many skills. The challenge in “figuring things out” was a source of pride as he worked on his cars and motorcycles, and took on all sorts of home improvement projects. Patrick embraced an active life. He rose early every day, had a cup of coffee, and got moving. There was always a project to work on or some new adventure in the making. In his early years he was a runner and competed in the Emerald City marathon and the local Ridge to River races in the running and canoeing legs. He was an enthusiastic explorer and embarked on many travel adventures with Kathleen at his side. They went to Mexico, New Zealand, and Costa Rica, and spent months RVing up to Alaska. However, their favorite travel pastime was their annual expeditions camping and exploring the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. Patrick was an avid motorcycle rider for many years, joining long rides with his brothers to destinations like Reno and Sturgis. He got a kick out of displaying his cherished Harley Davidson in his store window over the winter months. He loved rock and roll, roller coasters, car shows, farmers’ markets, and spending time with friends and family. In his later years, he took up trap shooting and was an active member of the Wenatchee Gun Club where he made life-long friends. In retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his shooting companions to events and tournaments where he took home many awards. He did so well at the shoots that he had to purchase a third freezer for all the hams, turkeys, and sides of bacon he won. Patrick will be fondly remembered for his gift of story-telling and his love of the absurd and silly, as well as a good prank. Whether recalling an event or imagining another chapter to a favorite and ever-evolving bedtime story, he enamored and captivated his audiences. He was a humble man who not only found the lesson, but also the humor in his own mistakes. His life and his shared stories have left us with his wisdom and laughter for years to come. Patrick was preceded in death by his parents Bernard F. Ryan and MaryAnne Ryan, beloved wife Kathleen E. Ryan, daughter, Jeanne M. Ryan, brothers John B. Ryan and Thomas M. Ryan, sister Annie Ryan Meyer. He is survived by his brother, Bernard Ryan (Mary) Ryan of Spokane WA, sisters, Kathy Gould (Budd) of Kirkland, WA, Suzanne (John) Nevers of Spokane, WA, Jeanne Ryan of Spokane, WA, daughters Katherine Ryan of Wenatchee, Shannon (Charles) Scheiwiller of Spokane, Nicole (Corey) Morrison of East Wenatchee, and Jessica Harris of Wenatchee, 16 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren as well as several exchange student daughters. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 22, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Jones & Jones – Betts Funeral Home, followed by the Rosary. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wenatchee. Arrangements by Jones and Jones - Betts.

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Patrick Ryan

December 11, 1942 - July 8, 2026