1948
Patrick
2022
Patrick Joseph Ryal
June 21, 1948 — January 6, 2022
Patrick Joseph (P.J.) Ryal passed away on January 6, 2022, from complications endured from his courageous 9-year cancer battle. He was 73 years old. He was born in Ravenna, OH on June 21, 1948 (which fittingly is the summer solstice with more hours of sunshine than any other day of the year). He is the son of the late Patrick Joseph Ryal, Sr. and Bette (Leaper) Ryal.
P.J. graduated from Gallia Academy High School in Gallipolis, OH in 1967 where he was the founder/singer/guitar player of a band called The Royal Tones. He began his career in media at various radio stations in Circleville, OH and Statesboro, GA working as a disc jockey, news-, and sportscaster. P.J. was a successful advertising account executive and held positions as Sales Manager and General Manager for television stations in Columbus, OH; Hurricane, WV; Charleston, SC; Savannah, GA; and Spartanburg, SC. He completed his career with nearly 20 years at WCBD-TV Channel 2 in Charleston, SC before he retired in 2020. P.J. built lifelong friendships with both colleagues and clients and mentored countless media professionals with the philosophy of "You can get anything you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want."
P.J. was a natural entertainer. In addition to playing music professionally, he found great joy in writing funny songs and performing for family and friends in any environment, especially if there was a piano nearby. P.J.'s favorite hobby was playing golf; he attended The Masters Tournament numerous times and had the pleasure of playing many courses around the world and the Lowcountry. Above all else, his very favorite thing to do was make his wife, daughters, and their families happy.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jane Sauer Ryal of Mt. Pleasant, SC and their two daughters, Erin (Daniel) O'Brien of Atlanta, GA, and Mary Jane (Derek) McConnell of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and was the loving "Grandy" to his four grandchildren: Keaton Lane and Ryal Patrick McConnell, and Ellis Cassidy and Penelope Jane O'Brien. He is also survived by his sisters Mary Ann Perkins of Cody, WY and Maureen Mishler of Reno, NV, and his brother Mike Ryal of Columbus, OH. P.J. was known as "Uncle Fun" to 10 nieces and nephews, and 21 great-nieces and -nephews.
The family will receive friends at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 15 at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Rd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of P.J. Ryal to the Lowcountry Food Bank online at lowcountryfoodbank.org or via mail to 2864 Azalea Drive, Charleston, SC 29405.
"And now you are informed. As you were." - P.J. Ryal
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL & CREMATION, Mt. Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Rd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, (843) 884-3833.
Link for Webcast of service: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/67008
P.J. graduated from Gallia Academy High School in Gallipolis, OH in 1967 where he was the founder/singer/guitar player of a band called The Royal Tones. He began his career in media at various radio stations in Circleville, OH and Statesboro, GA working as a disc jockey, news-, and sportscaster. P.J. was a successful advertising account executive and held positions as Sales Manager and General Manager for television stations in Columbus, OH; Hurricane, WV; Charleston, SC; Savannah, GA; and Spartanburg, SC. He completed his career with nearly 20 years at WCBD-TV Channel 2 in Charleston, SC before he retired in 2020. P.J. built lifelong friendships with both colleagues and clients and mentored countless media professionals with the philosophy of "You can get anything you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want."
P.J. was a natural entertainer. In addition to playing music professionally, he found great joy in writing funny songs and performing for family and friends in any environment, especially if there was a piano nearby. P.J.'s favorite hobby was playing golf; he attended The Masters Tournament numerous times and had the pleasure of playing many courses around the world and the Lowcountry. Above all else, his very favorite thing to do was make his wife, daughters, and their families happy.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jane Sauer Ryal of Mt. Pleasant, SC and their two daughters, Erin (Daniel) O'Brien of Atlanta, GA, and Mary Jane (Derek) McConnell of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and was the loving "Grandy" to his four grandchildren: Keaton Lane and Ryal Patrick McConnell, and Ellis Cassidy and Penelope Jane O'Brien. He is also survived by his sisters Mary Ann Perkins of Cody, WY and Maureen Mishler of Reno, NV, and his brother Mike Ryal of Columbus, OH. P.J. was known as "Uncle Fun" to 10 nieces and nephews, and 21 great-nieces and -nephews.
The family will receive friends at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 15 at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Rd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of P.J. Ryal to the Lowcountry Food Bank online at lowcountryfoodbank.org or via mail to 2864 Azalea Drive, Charleston, SC 29405.
"And now you are informed. As you were." - P.J. Ryal
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL & CREMATION, Mt. Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Rd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, (843) 884-3833.
Link for Webcast of service: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/67008
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Patrick Joseph Ryal, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Saturday, January 15, 2022
10:00 - 11:00 am
Mcalister-Smith Funeral and Cremation - Mount Pleasant
Memorial Service
Saturday, January 15, 2022
11:00am - 12:00 pm
Mcalister-Smith Funeral and Cremation - Mount Pleasant
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