Jack Barry Ryder, Sr., 76, passed away unexpectedly on February 27, 2019, at his home in Orlando, FL. He was born on September 19, 1942 in the St. Charles Hospital, Aurora, IL to Iline June Sether and Chester Eugene (Rytelny) Ryder.

Jack joined the U. S. Navy upon graduation from West Aurora High School in 1960. Jack was stationed in Japan and at many U. S. Naval bases. He served on the USS Wasp, assisted in the recovery of the Gemini capsules upon their return from space, participated in the "Operation Dominic" naval nuclear tests, and served in the Vietnam War. After serving nine years in the U.S. Navy, he attended the Federal Aviation Administration's Air Traffic Control Academy (FAA) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and was assigned as an Air Traffic Control Specialist in Aurora, Illinois. Being restless, he couldn't stand sitting around in a box and moved on to working for the United States Post Office.

In the early 1970's, Jack moved to Florida. In 2015, he retired from Ventura Country Club and Golf Community where he had also lived for the last 24 years. Jack would lend a helping hand to anyone in need and he was definitely a "Jack of All Trades" and frequently referred to as "the go-to guy"; he could fix anything.

Jack and Anne cruised over seventy times since they married on June 10, 1981. It's easy to relax when you are on a cruise ship away from pagers and cell phones. He was a lifelong member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Aurora Moose Lodge 400, Chapter 83.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Iline and Chet Ryder, and is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Anne Elizabeth Laing; his sister, Cheryl Neidigh (Scott) of Sandwich, IL; his son, Jack Barry Ryder, Jr., of Arizona; his daughter, Pamela Ouafi, of Germany; his stepson, Kenneth Hopf (Trish) of Arizona; and six grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held for the family and friends on Wednesday, March 13th at 10:00 AM at Palm Cemetery in Winter Park, Florida. There will be a short service and he will be buried with military honors by a U. S. Navy Honor Guard.