James C. Ryan, age 78 of Kenosha, passed away on Sunday, September 30, 2018.

Born on September 22, 1940 in Sparta, WI, he was the son of the late Fred and Marie (Seidel) Ryan. Jim was a 1958 graduate of Sparta High School.  Following his education, he decided to relocate to Kenosha for employment.

On March 3, 1962 at St. Mary Catholic Church, he was united in marriage to Mary Lynn Schulte. Sadly, she preceded him in death on April 10, 2015.

He was employed with AMC, retiring from the Labor Relations Department in 1980 after 30 years of employment. Jim opened Super Sports, Inc. in 1977 and after many years sold the business to his long-time manager, Brian Portilia.

Jim was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church where he gave of his time and talent in many capacities. He served as a lector, was on the Parish Council, and on the Athletic Association for many years.  He will long be remembered for his inspiring direction as he coached the football team for 15 years.  Following coaching, he became a Commissioner with the CYO.

He will forever be remembered as the force that began the Special Olympic Program in Kenosha. He was proudly recognized as an International Volunteer in 1978, by the Kennedy Foundation at Madison Square Garden.

Jim remained busy with his dedication to St. Joseph High School.  He served St. Joes in the capacity of a member of the School Board, the Athletic Association and a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee.  He was inducted into the St. Joseph's Hall of Fame in 2004. As if that wasn't enough, he had been a member of the board of directors of Kenosha Achievement Center (KAC), United Way of Kenosha, and the Kenosha Shalom Center.  He was the founder of the Kenosha Running Club and was a member of the Western Kiwanis of Kenosha and had served as the club president.

Survivors include his children, Tom (Jane), Patrick (Lynda), Michael and Sean (Molly) Ryan and Maureen (James) Giroux. Jim was the proud grandfather of Matthew, Kathryn, Kristin (Nathan), Michael, Kevin, Catharine, Annemarie, Sarah, Conor, and Maggie Ryan; great grandsons, Owen and Everett; and his sister, Theresa Schuttenhelm.

Service Info

Funeral services honoring Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2018. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 7300 39th Avenue. Relatives and friends are invited to meet at the church for the Mass. PLEASE -- USE NORTH OR SOUTH ENTRANCE TO ENTER THE CHURCH. Entombment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum.