Dr. Eugene M. Ryan, 93, of South Pittsburg, TN died Tuesday, April 3, 2012 in a Chattanooga Healthcare Facility.

He was born in Springfield, TN on June 2, 1918 to the late James Latimer and Vivian Johnson Ryan. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1936 where he was a member of the football, basketball and tennis teams. He attended Vanderbilt University for his pre-med studies and went on to graduate with his Medical Degree from the University of Tennessee Medical School in 1943. He served as a Lieutenant, J.G. in the US Naval Medical Corps in the European Theatre in World War II. Dr. Ryan participated in the Normandy Invasion of France and served in the Philippine Islands. He married the former Juanita Jobe on February 11, 1945 and they made their home in Ooltewah, TN for several years before settling their family in South Pittsburg.

Dr. Ryan was one of the founders of the Chattanooga Area of General Practice Chapter in which he served in the capacity of the secretary, vice-president and president. He served as Chief of the general practice section at Memorial Hospital from 1955 to 1959. Also, he was secretary and vice-chief of the general practice section at Erlanger Hospital from 1957 to 1959. He was also one of the original four doctors at the Tri-City Clinic and South Pittsburg Municipal Hospital, retiring in 1975.

Dr. Ryan was an active member of Holly Avenue United Methodist Church, where he had served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and also Church Gardener. He was a member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County, Tennessee and American Medical Associations as well as the American Academy of Family Practitioners. He was active in the formation of the Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians as well as their former president. He was also a Past President of the South Pittsburg Rotary Club and Past Commander of the local post of the American Legion.

He was an avid golfer and a member of the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club for 60 years. Dr. Ryan was a sports enthusiast and regularly attended the South Pittsburg High School Football games. He was very proud of his heritage as a Chickasaw Indian.

In addition to his parents, Dr. Ryan was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Juanita Jobe Ryan; son, Thomas Latimer Ryan; sisters, Lula Ann Freeman and Maureen Beasley; and brother, James Latimer Ryan, Jr.

He is survived by his children, Gene Ryan, Jr., Camille (J.D.) Loyd, Richard "Dick" Ryan all of South Pittsburg and Kathy Ryan of East Ridge, TN; grandchildren, Ryan (Brooke) Loyd, Brett (Sandy) Lomenick and Laura (Mark) Ellinor; great-granddaughter, Ann Campbell Loyd; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at Holly Avenue United Methodist Church on Friday, April 6, 2012 at 2:30pm Central time with Rev. Michael Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in Sequatchie Valley Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Thursday, April 5th from 5-8pm Central time at Rogers Funeral Home in South Pittsburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Holly Avenue UMC, PO Box 189, South Pittsburg, TN 37380 or Beene-Pearson Library, 208 Elm Avenue, South Pittsburg, TN 37380 or Sequatchie Valley Honor Guard, c/o John Carson, 3511 Shellmound Road, Jasper, TN 37347.