Lee Patrick (Pat) Ryan

Lee Patrick (Pat) Ryan, 85, Clifton Forge, Virginia, passed away June 3, 2024 in hospice at Lewis Gale Alleghany hospital, Low Moor, VA. He was born in Chapmanville, WV, October, 18, 1938, a son of the late David O. and Edith (Godby) Ryan. His only sibling, a brother, David Michael (Mick) Ryan, retired USAF Major, Maumelle, AR, passed away in 2008. 

 Pat married Mary Frances Weber on January 13, 1958, in Huntington, WV. Pat and Mary celebrated sixty-six years of marriage this year. 

 He graduated from Huntington High School, Huntington, WV, in 1957, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, completing basic training with the marksmanship status of Sharpshooter, and then serving in the Reserves. Pat’s father was a US Marine in the South Pacific, WWII, and his brother was an Air Force pilot in Vietnam. Pat went to work as an electrician apprentice in Huntington, WV, in 1957, and worked for the C&O (later CSX) in Huntington, WV, Clifton Forge, VA, Cumberland MD, and Russell, KY, before retiring in 1992. As a young electrician, he would be laid-off for months at a time, and during those periods he worked as a plumber in the Alleghany Highlands. Pat could fix literally anything. 

 As a twelve-year-old, looking over the watch-bench of an elderly neighbor in Huntington, Pat learned a skill that became his life-long passion and hobby: cleaning, repairing, and rebuilding watches. He could often be found at his watch bench, loop on eye, for hours at a time. For decades, he worked on countless watches for folks throughout the Highlands, spanning from everyday wrist watches and cherished family keepsakes to luxury timepieces by Patek Philippe and Rolex. He was also an animal lover, keeping bees and herding cats.

Pat, with Mary, volunteered for many years with the C&O Historical Society in Clifton Forge, VA, and he and Mary are well-known for helping neighbors, friends and family. They worship at Living Stones Ministries. 

 He is survived by his wife, Mary, Clifton Forge, VA; two daughters, Robyn Ryan Ratliff (and Chuck), Covington, VA, and Michele Ryan Kahle (and Charlie), Clifton Forge, VA; and four grand-children, Ryan Ratliff (and Jordan), Roanoke, VA, Westley Ratliff, Covington, VA, Amelia Kahle Waring (and Michael), Leesburg, VA, and David Kahle, Arlington, VA. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Carol Stephens Ryan, Eureka Springs, AR, a niece, Kelly Ryan Kegans (and Mark), Minneapolis, MN, a nephew Danny Ryan, Rogers, AR, two great-nephews, Evan Kegans and Spencer Kegans, Minneapolis, MN, and many other relatives and friends across the States. 

 In keeping with Pat’s wishes, he has been cremated. He will receive military funeral honors.