James E. “Jim” Ryals (CMSGT)

James Edward “Jim” Ryals, 85, of Frederick County, Virginia, died Thursday, February 17, 2011, in Blue Ridge Hospice, Winchester, Virginia.

Mr. Ryals was born in 1926 in Dunn, Louisiana, the son of the late William H. and Della Ryals. He was a Meteorologist/Intelligence Analyst in Washington D.C. retiring in 1986 after 44 years of service. Mr. Ryals was a man of service to his family and his country. He was a farmer at heart and always had a green garden growing. Mr. Ryals was a Veteran having served first in the United States Navy during World War II, later joining the Army Air Corp/ Air Force, achieving the rank of CMSGT, retiring after 24 years of service.

His wife, Anita A. St. Jean Ryals, whom he married on June 5, 1948, in Chicopee, Massachusetts, preceded him in death on August 18, 2000.

Surviving are his sons, Robert Ryals and his wife, Sarah, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; William Ryals and his wife, Kathy, of Winchester, Virginia; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren; sisters, Mary Vee Hall of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Bobbie Jean Hinton of Quitman, Louisiana and Billie Ruth Harfield of Brookhaven, Mississippi.

Two brothers, Ester Ryles, Charles Ryals and one sister, Maxine Ryals, preceded him in death.

Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

A reception will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday at Cross Creek Community Center, Frederick County, Virginia.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St., Suite 405, Winchester, VA 22601.

Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com.