Larry Edward Ryerson

Larry Edward Ryerson, 73, of Mesa, died Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013. He was born to the late Dorothy Maxine Strong and Jesse Edward Ryerson Jan. 4, 1940 in Oelwein, Iowa.

He graduated in 1958 from Natrona County High School in Casper, Wyoming.

Larry is survived by his wife of 32 years, Lorene Abbott Ryerson, whom he married in 1980. He was an insurance agent for more than 40 years specializing in commercial insurance for auto and RV dealers.

A former Fountain Hills resident, Larry was an enterprising businessman who opened one of the first businesses in town and is credited with being the founder of the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce and served as its first president.

He was also the first to publish a town newspaper in Fountain Hills called Free Notes and the first telephone directory, Fountain Connection.

Ryerson was inducted into the Lower Verde Valley Hall of Fame in 2004.

Passionate about flying, he earned his private pilot license in 1991 and was an avid aviator. He was the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association representative for the Coolidge Airport (his home away from home). He was also active in the Arizona Pilots Association.

For 20 years he based his aircraft at Falcon Field in Mesa where in 2005 he was instrumental in forming the Falcon Field Tenants and Users Association. He was honored in 2006 by acceptance into Quiet Birdmen, an elite organization of aviators.

Larry’s strong sense of duty to country and desire to honor military personnel for their service drew him to join the Phoenix Air National Guard Patriots organization in 2007. The PANG Patriots is a citizen support group for the men and women of the Phoenix Air National Guard.

He was also very proud to be a member of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Air Posse supporting the MCSO Counter-Terrorism Unit and Homeland Security. Serving as executive officer he planned training exercises, coordinated monthly meetings, recruited new members and mentored countless grateful Posse members while promoting the Posse’s role in Maricopa County.

Larry was raised to Master Mason in Arizona Lodge No. 2 F.& A.M. in 1993 and served as Worshipful Master in 1998. He also was a member of Phoenix York Rite.

He joined the Phoenix El Zaribah Shrine to help support the Shriners Children’s Hospitals. His unit, the Flying Fez Patrol, gave airplane rides to raise funds for the transportation fund of the hospital.

Larry was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks for 35 years.

An avid outdoorsman, he loved to four-wheel and camp and did his best to explore every aspect of Arizona. He was raised in Wyoming, but Arizona had his heart.

Larry is survived by six children, Nanette Campbell of Bolton, Mass., Ross Ryerson of Seattle, Wash., Elizabeth Markland of San Jose, Calif., Gizell Ryerson of Appleton, Wis., Mitzi Ryerson-Tuohy of Gilbert, and Jeremy Abbott of Mesa. He is also survived by nine grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Masonic Temple (Arizona Lodge No. 2), 345 W. Monroe St., Phoenix.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals.