Hey, did you hear the one about the spirited guy who lived life in the fast lane? That’s our very own James Steven Ryder, Jr., better known as Jim or Jimmy, who revved up his engine one last time and sped off to the grand racetrack in the sky on August 15, 2024, in Mesa, Arizona. At the spry age of 89, he bid us a cheeky farewell, surrounded by pit crew members, aka his loving family.
Born on December 27, 1934, in Trenton, New Jersey, Jim never missed a chance to crack a joke or share a hearty laugh. He was the life of every party, even if he sometimes arrived fashionably late because he was busy serving with the New Jersey Air National Guard. For 28 years, he soared through the skies, and rumor has it, his parachute rigging skills were nothing short of legendary, making him quite the ‘knight in shining armor’ to a pilot or two.
Jim was a man who could sell ice to Eskimos. His sales career was more like a winning streak, thanks to his charm and refusal to ever accept ‘no’ for an answer. His secret? He held people hostage until he broke them.
Speaking of hobbies, Jim raced sprint cars with the same zeal he chased after the Sunday paper. He was also known for his ‘hunting’-though it was mostly for the remote-and his skiing skills, which he claimed were ‘snow joke.’ But, let’s be honest, his heart truly belonged to the golf course, where he was always ‘putting’ his best foot forward.
Jim’s greatest stories often featured his beloved grandson, Nik, and their shared love for dirt bike racing. He was Nik’s number one fan, and not just because he had the loudest cheer (and sometimes the only earplugs).
Leaving behind his sweetheart, Marie, his dynamic duo, Sharon and Steve, and his speed-racer grandson, Nikolaus, Jim’s pit stop here on Earth was nothing short of fabulous. And let’s not forget Cappuccino, the snuggle champ and possibly the only creature who could out-snooze Jim.
A private interment is on the calendar, but don’t worry, the main event, a celebration of life, is slated for early November. It’ll be the shindig of the season, where tall tales and belly laughs are on the house. In lieu of flowers, toss a coin to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of Jim’s favorite charities, because giving back was no joke to him.
Jim’s legacy? A life well-lived, bursting with laughter, love, and a little bit of mischief. He’s probably up there now, asking the angels if they’ve heard the one about the guy who… You’ll just have to wait for the punchline.
So here’s to Jim, who taught us that life’s a race, and he sure knew how to ride it. Keep the engines running, buddy-we’ll catch up soon.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.