Thomas V. Ryan passed away on Oct. 18, 2015, in Whitefish.

He was born Sept. 11, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York, to Vincent Paul and Anne C. (Ryan) Ryan. He lived in New York until the early death of his father in 1937, when he, his sister and mother returned to her family in Denver. He graduated from East Denver High School in 1944.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps immediately following graduation, at age 17, and served in the Pacific Theater for two years. Following his discharge, he attended the University of Colorado where he met his future wife Miriam Poe Evans. There were married in Casper, Wyoming, on Sept. 4, 1947.

He began his oil business career in production and drilling with the Ohio Oil Company in Rawlins, Wyoming. He was recalled to the Marine Corps during the Korean War. In 1951 he returned to the oil business in Cody and Casper, Wyoming, and Sidney, Nebraska. In 1959 the family moved to Tripoli, Libya, with Oasis Oil Company. His work took him all around the world — Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia. They also lived in London, England, and Madrid, Spain. They returned to the U.S. in 1971 to Houston.

In 1987 Tom retired and they moved to Hamilton. They relocated to Polson and Flathead Lake.

He belonged to the Petroleum Club of Houston, the Hamilton and Polson Rotary Clubs, the American Legion, Elks and the Knights of Columbus for many years. He served as chairman of the Montana Banking Commission. He was the chairman of the Republican Central Committee of Ravalli County.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Betty Anne Garrett.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Miriam Ryan, of Polson; daughter, Marylee Syme, and Douglas, of Bigfork; son, Michael Ryan, and Sue, of Houston; grandsons, Jonathan Syme and Brookie of Hamilton, Aaron Syme of Las Vegas, Thomas Alan Ryan of Houston, great-grandchildren, Brandon Syme of Lafayette, Louisiana, McKenzie and Bridger Syme of Hamilton, and Braxton Syme of Seattle; and nieces, Ann Steck of Highland Park Ranch, Colorado, Virginia Snowden of Avon, Colorado, and Harriet Holmes of Denver.

A wake will be held at 6 p.m. today, Oct. 21, at the Mission Bay Clubhouse. The viewing will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson, followed by the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Military honors will be held at the church following services. Urn burial will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Mission Valley Animal Shelter, 36251 Reservoir Road, Polson, MT 59860; or to the American Heart Association.

Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.thelakefuneralhomeandcrematory.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.