James Ryan

James F. Ryan of Clayton, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at the age of 68 on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife Kristin and devoted children Jack and Julia. He was preceded in death by his father John Ryan Sr. and survived by his mother Loretta Ryan, his sister Susan Moody, and brother John Ryan Jr. as well as so many relatives in both Ryan and McArdle families.

Jim was born on March 10th, 1957, in Newark, New Jersey. He spent his childhood in Belleville and Nutley, attending Essex Catholic High School, playing sports and spending time with his siblings as well as numerous cousins from his large Irish family. Jim's twenties were filled with a wide variety of pursuits including stand-up comedy, Montclair Rugby Club, bartending, hosting his own radio show and coaching basketball at Immaculate Conception High School. Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Montclair State University and his Master's in Education from East Carolina University. Jim spent his summers working youth basketball camps in Chapel Hill and Charlotte, where he found his life's calling: the mentorship and development of young men and women. This passion continued for the rest of his life in classrooms, gymnasiums, and athletic fields across the country. It was during the pursuit of this passion, while coaching basketball at UNC-Chapel Hill, that he met his beloved wife Kristin in December of 1990. They were married on August 7th, 1993, in Boston, Massachusetts, surrounded by their closest family and friends. Shortly after their wedding, his collegiate coaching career continued as Associate Head Coach at UNC-Asheville, then holding the same position at Middle Tennessee State University, led at both schools by Head Coach Randy Wiel. While in Tennessee, Jim and Kristin were blessed with two children, Jack and Julia, and raised them with love, compassion, and humility. The family later moved to North Carolina where Jim continued to inspire young men and women as he held teaching and coaching positions at Goldsboro High School, Knightdale High School and Cardinal Gibbons High School.

Jim's job at Cardinal Gibbons was his dream come true - a full circle plan to teach English at a Catholic High School, as he treasured his own Catholic education. Jim was a devoted Catholic, a faithful parishioner of Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, and a role model to all as an educator and coach, with an uncanny talent for connecting with and caring for his fellow educators, students and players. He also loved an afternoon sitting in a beach chair reading the latest issue of the New Yorker or the Atlantic as he listened to the waves. He loved long bike rides. He loved literature and Shakespeare and could constantly be heard quoting The Godfather, Jaws and countless other classic movies and books. Most of all he loved his family deeply. He will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as effortlessly funny, quick-witted, intelligent, humble, and kind.

We ask that all those whose lives were touched by Jim Ryan, please join us for a celebration of life funeral mass at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh, North Carolina, at 2pm on May 16th, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your choice of the following causes close to our family's heart:

Kristin's Pick (because Jim found peace and comfort on the beaches of NC):

Surfrider Foundation Bogue Banks - https://boguebanks.surfrider.org/?form=FUNGHJWDUHC

Jack's Pick (because Jim revered our country's veterans and looked back fondly on his SIX lacrosse state championship rings):

Shootout for Soldiers - https://shootoutforsoldiers.com/?form=SFS

Julia's Pick (because Jim never missed a summer vacation without stacking our reading list high):

World Literacy Foundation - https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/donate/

Captain's Pick (for the 4-legged friend Jim finally came around on):

Saving Grace Animal Shelter - https://savinggracenc.org/give/