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Please join us in praying for the repose of the soul of our Brother, Reverend Bo Ryan. He was called to his eternal reward on Thursday, August 1, 2024. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Clifford and Amelia Ryan on May 25, 1929.

He attended elementary school at his parish of St. Louis, King of France. With the example of his parent’s involvement in parish activities and the prayerful, dedicated priests serving the St. Louis Parish, he began entertaining the idea of becoming a priest as early as third grade. Bo entered St. John’s minor seminary in Kansas City. After completing high school and junior college, he was assigned to the Preparatory Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri and then to Kenrick Seminary. Having completed seminary studies, he and four other young men from Kansas City, were ordained on April 3, 1954, in the Cathedral in Kansas City, Missouri by Bishop V. O’Hara. His first assignment was to St. Therese, Little Flower Parish as assistant pastor. 

Over the years, Father Bo assumed duties of teacher at LeBlond High School in St. Joseph, was a liaison with the Catholic schools of St. Joseph and northwest Missouri. He directed a combined branch of Catholic Charities and the diocesan school office. He wrote the initial application for the Headstart Program for the City of St. Joseph and got an anti-poverty government grant for a Neighborhood Youth Program. In 1968, Father Bo was named pastor of Immaculate Conception in St. Joseph. 

In 1970, Bishop Helmsing reassigned him to St. Augustine’s Parish in Kansas City. In 1976, Bishop Helmsing asked Father Bo to move to Independence to establish a new parish, to be known as the parish of St. Joseph the Worker. He found his ten years there both challenging and rewarding. He went on to complete pastoral assignments at St. Patrick’s and Christ the King Parishes in Kansas City, Our Lady of Presentation Parish in Lee’s Summit and Nativity Parish in Independence. 

After retiring and moving to the Lake of the Ozarks, Father Bo assisted at both St. Patrick Parish in Laurie and St. Philip Benizi Parish in Versailles. His delight was to celebrate the Eucharist with the people of both these parishes. As he celebrated his seventy years of priesthood, he had this to say, “My experience as a priest has been not only joyous, but has been immensely rewarding. The people in every parish where I have served have enriched my life in untold ways. I thank my God for them and all of the multitude of blessings over these many years”.

Father Bo was preceded in death by his father, Clifford Ryan, his mother, Amelia Ryan and his only sibling, Jeanie Stiles and husband George Stiles of Windsor, Missouri. His close relatives are his nieces and nephews: Mary Odneal (Bill) of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, Anne Eubanks of Aliso Viejo, California, Katherine Anderson (Danny) of Kansas City, Missouri, Kevin Stiles of Windsor, Missouri, Philip Stiles (Kelli) of Jefferson City, Missouri, James Stiles of New Haven, Missouri, John Stiles of St. Louis, Missouri and a close family friend, Diane Burke. 

Father Bo also leaves behind his friend and long-time caregiver, Edrea Eisenhauer. Special gratitude to nurses Jenny, Melissa and the entire Lake Regional Hospice team. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to one of Father Bo’s favorite charities, Catholic Charities of Central Missouri. 

A vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 8th, at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Laurie. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 9th, and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon for family and friends will follow mass in St. Leo’s Hall at the church. Graveside services and interment will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 10th, at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel.

Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.