In Memory Of...

Ryan Joseph Sperry

  1. https://sperryr.com/1RW8/Image/Flags-At-Half-Staff-copy.jpg

World Clock

In Memory of Ryan
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A Celebration of Life

A great Soul serves everyone all the time.
A great Soul never dies.
It brings us together again and again.
~
Maya Angelou


About Ryan 
Stacks Image 827


~ ~ ~


Grief is the price we pay for love.

Queen Elizabeth

Stacks Image 834

- - Ryan J. Sperry - -

Stacks Image 1096

~ ~ ~

Stacks Image 845
Ryan is buried in Riverside National Cemetery at the edge of the lake that he loved so much. He spent a lot of his break and lunch time under a tree. The tree was pulled out but a new tree will be planted in his honor. He was a beloved member of this ground crew. The map and details are located at the bottom of the webpage with links to the RNC. SEE TAB 3 for MAP

~ ~ ~

A Tribute To Ryan


On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, Ryan J. Sperry, beloved son of Sheri and Rick P. Sperry, brother of Rick M. Sperry, uncle of Tristan Sperry, passed away at the age of 43.

Ryan was born on June 11, 1979, at Queen of the Valley Hospital in West Covina, California. Ryan attended grammar school at St. Margaret Mary Catholic School and Community Free Methodist. Ryan graduated from Etiwanda High School in 1997.

After high school, Ryan decided to enter the Armed Forces. Ryan was born during peacetime. Rick and Sheri never anticipated that either of their sons would say,
“I want to join the military!” But one did. Ryan spent a year out of high school studying every aspect of our military services, speaking to all recruiters, and decided he wanted to be a United States Marine. In 1999, Ryan became a Marine. His goal was to be part of the Marine Corp Security Forces, which he achieved.

This was a decision he was very proud of, and he was excited to start this journey and his new life.

Ryan had never been away from home. “Boot Camp” took place at Camp Pendleton for 13 weeks. Leaving for 13 weeks was very hard on his mom, dad, and brother.

When Ryan “graduated” from Boot Camp, his graduation ceremony was close by in San Diego. The entire family was invited to participate in the celebration. It was a celebration the family won’t ever forget. Rick and Sheri had a big party at a local restaurant, and everyone attended.

After all of his training, he went overseas to protect the Monai Compound in the Middle East.  At the time, Bahrain was considered the third highest worldwide threat to our troops... While Ryan was in Bahrain, the 
USS Cole was bombed on October 12, 2000, and he volunteered to guard it. He was on duty and was turned down. Marines in his unit were pulled from Bahrain because it was the closest point to the terrorist attack. 
What many people may not know is the sense of duty that Ryan had. He wanted to be where the action was and wanted to volunteer for potentially hazardous missions.
Once Ryan was discharged, Ryan's journey took him to Riverside National Cemetery, where he found rewarding employment. Part of his duties included burial detail and support for the families of the Fallen. During those holidays, including Veterans Day, Independence Day, and of course, Memorial Day, it was all hands on deck. Ryan wanted to be there for those families.

A former Caretaker stated this when asked what it was like to work at Riverside National Cemetery:
"This is a place where you can go to work and know that you made a difference for someone. Where the employees have the honor and privilege to lay Heroes to rest and provide their families with heartfelt service”. Ryan felt this every day he came to work.

Though Ryan spent many years serving others at Riverside National Cemetery, he wanted to try something new. Ryan transferred to the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System. Part of his job was repairing the large outside water valves. He loved this work and he was very good at it.

We were blessed to meet most of his fellow workers at the funeral ceremony. They knew exactly where Ryan would want to be laid to rest. He spent every afternoon under a tree by the lake, enjoying his lunch. His coworkers said that he would be well taken care of from here on.

Ryan was buried with full-military honors with Marine Veterans performing the 21-gun salute. It was an extraordinary private ceremony we will not soon forget.

We are now a family of four. Our son, brother, and uncle, Ryan, will always be in our hearts and we will never let his memory fade away. We love and miss you forever…

Please visit
www.22aday.org to learn more.

More to come in the months ahead…

~ ~ ~

Stacks Image 1014
Stacks Image 992
Stacks Image 1018
Stacks Image 1012
Stacks Image 1031
Stacks Image 1127
Stacks Image 1064


More Memories …

Stacks Image 988
Stacks Image 990
Stacks Image 1088
Stacks Image 994
Stacks Image 1004
Stacks Image 1016
Stacks Image 1066
Stacks Image 1068
Stacks Image 1070
Stacks Image 1008
Stacks Image 849
Stacks Image 1020
Stacks Image 1080
Stacks Image 1102
Stacks Image 1100
Stacks Image 1076
Stacks Image 1078
Stacks Image 1033
Stacks Image 1041
Stacks Image 1043
Stacks Image 996
Stacks Image 1119
Stacks Image 1123
Stacks Image 1121
Stacks Image 1047
Stacks Image 1049
Stacks Image 1051
Stacks Image 1002
Stacks Image 1000
Stacks Image 1129
Family Memories… 



Ryan Sperry
~
June 11, 1979 to August 7, 2022

Stacks Image 1082



Family Portrait
~
1999

Stacks Image 1062



Father's Day 2010
~
Sedona ,AZ

Stacks Image 862



Ryan and Rick
~
2006 - Broken Arrow Trail

Stacks Image 868



San Diego - Coronado Island
Adeline - Sheri - Rick - Ryan - Ricky (in front)
~
1983

Stacks Image 872



Disneyland - Thunder Mountain
Adeline - Sheri - Ryan - Ricky - Jack
~
1981

Stacks Image 876



Ryan's 40th Birthday
~
2019 ~ Palm Springs ~ Roy's

Stacks Image 880



Mouth of the Grand Canyon
~
Lake Mead - 1997

Stacks Image 894



Sperry Family - Sedona
~
Thanksgiving - 2017

Stacks Image 905



MaMa's - Maui
~
Oct 28, 2005

Stacks Image 1086



Lake Mojave - 1982
~
Ryan - Brian - Aubry - Ricky - Sheri

Stacks Image 886



Thanksgiving
~
2016 - Uncle Ryan and Tristan

Stacks Image 911



Elmer's - Palm Springs
~
2019 - Ryan's 40th Birthday

Stacks Image 1027



One of Sheri's Favorite Images
~
1981

Ryan in Davy Crockett Coonskin Hat



U.S. Marines
~
1999

Stacks Image 1060



Bye Bye Uncle Ryan
~
Until we meet again…

Stacks Image 1037


God Bless You

Stacks Image 1058


Map of Riverside National Cemetery  


Map of Riverside National Cemetery


Ryan's Gravesite

Stacks Image 1141


Map of Riverside National Cemetery

Stacks Image 1113


Gravesite Location

Stacks Image 1117


A Special Lakeside Location

Stacks Image 1149
Video Slideshow 
Stacks Image 1183
In Memory of Ryan

The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle than the courage of a final moment; but it is no less a magnificent mixture of triumph and tragedy.

John F. Kennedy



~ ~ ~ 22 A DAY ~ ~ ~

Veterans Crisis Hotline —>
Dial 988 then PRESS 1
Chat online or Text 838255

Stacks Image 1230

LEARN MORE ABOUT "22 A DAY"

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE…

Guest Book For Ryan


~ Guest Book ~

Leave A Memory or Support Message


These memories will be posted on the website for all to see. It may be edited for content. Any information deemed sensitive or inappropriate will be edited.

In the "Message" area …

  • You may specify if you want only your initials posted
  • Tell us where you knew Ryan from. Eg. (Grammar School, High School, Neighborhood, Work Associate, Marines, Relative, Family, etc..
  • If for some reason, your identity cannot be confirmed the message will not be posted.
  • If this is just a private message for Rick or Sheri that you do not want posted, make sure you specify that as well.

Send Mail


~ ~ ~

We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Policy.
In a nutshell or simply put, if you continue on this website, you are giving SL Sperry PLLC (
SellSedona.com) and Rick’s World Sedona (sperryr.com) permission to use any and all information you provide including Cookies (defined below) or email addresses and similar information you provide. All data is kept confidential and will never be sold to a third party.

Find Detailed Privacy and Cookie Policy at:
https://sperryr.com/terms-service-22/Cookies-22/