MGySgt, Andrew J. Ryal III (Ret.), USMC, was born on May 14, 1945, to the late Andrew J. Ryal Jr. and Betty Harris in Ft. Benning, Georgia. He departed this life on January 4, 2025, joining the love of his life, Shelly J. Ryal, five days before the anniversary of their marital union in 1966. Of this union were born four children, Chivon, Andrew IV, Sean and Leslie.

Inspired by his grandmother, who the family affectionately called “Grandmother Mable,” and who he called his mentor in his formative years, he understood the value of education and the opportunities it would bring to him. He earned his high school diploma from Central YMCA High School in 1964.

In 1965, Andrew received the call of duty and chose to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. After graduating from Boot Camp, he was meritoriously promoted to PFC, and was assigned to “Mike” Company, 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, 1st Division with whom he was deployed to Vietnam in 1966. By the grace of God along with prayers from family and friends, he was rotated back to the United States in May 1967 to serve as the Presidential Helicopter Security Detachment to HMX-1 Quantico Virginia for Presidents Johnson and Nixon until September 1969. From then on, Andrew became a goal setter and was more determined to go above and beyond to reach the highest level in his future pursuits.

In January of 1970, Andrew reenlisted in the USMC Reserve, 2nd Bn 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division assigned to H&S Company as Platoon Sergeant of the 106 Recoilless Rifle Platoon at 29 Palms, California at Camp Wilson in 1972, then transferred to the Marine Wing Communications Squadron-48 located at 35th Street and Lowe in Chicago behind White Sox Park, then moving to Glenview Naval Air Station the fall of 1974. On December 1, 1984, Andrew was promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9), the highest rank to be achieved by an enlisted Marine and nicknamed “Top” until his retirement in September 1995.

While enlisted as a reservist, he took the opportunity to go further in his educational endeavors earning a BA in Educational Psychology at Chicago State University in1975, then a Master’s Degree from Loyola University in 1988. He also set a goal to go above and beyond in his occupational endeavors as well. Before being drafted, Andrew worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital Psychiatric Ward and centered most of his career around serving people withmental and physical disabilities. Andrew was promoted to an administrative position for the Illinois Department of Mental Health eventually retiring as the Bureau Chief for the Division of Development Disabilities of the Illinois Department of Human Services in 2006. He held a second job at the Cook County Department of Corrections, Division 10, from January 1987 retiring in December 2006. He worked like he had one child in college, two in high school and a toddler to feed. However, he never considered it a hardship or sacrifice since it was something he wanted to do and enjoyed doing.

Andrew also had a passion for swimming. He was intrigued with scuba diving after being introduced to it in the Philippine Islands, and since he considered himself a good swimmer since the age of 7, he sought and executed the requirements that eventually led him to become a certified Dive Master in 1996. Intersecting both passions for swimming and serving the disabled community, he completed a certification as a Handicap Scuba Dive-Master Instructor Assistant in 2005 to provide disabled people a chance to experience the world under water in the ocean. He also used his expertise to volunteer for Diveheart, The Wounded Warriors Project, the Illinois Special Olympics, and to enhance the quality of life and provide housing for disabled people at the Lucy Lang-Chappell residential housing complex.

MGySgt Andew J. Ryal III lived life to the fullest dedicating his time, energy and commitment to serve his country and the underserved with gusto. His grand personality left an impression on an aggregation of individuals he met through the military, various organizations and memberships, the Illinois state and county departments, and several jazz cruises.

MGySgt Andrew J. Ryal III, leaves to cherish fond memories and to mourn their great loss, his daughter Chivon Ryal McMullen-Jackson (James), Houston, TX, son Andrew J. Ryal IV, Houston, TX, son Sean W. Ryal (Robyn), Hanover, MD, and daughter Leslie S. Ryal Beebe, Wilmette, IL, his siblings, sister Ivory Bishop (Herbert), Crete, IL, brother Melvin Bassett, Chicago, IL, seven grandchildren, David McMullen (Nicole), Ashley McMullen, M.D., Chad Ryal, Andrew J. Ryal V, Bayla Ryal, Paige Beebe, and Sean W. Ryal Jr., two great-grandchildren, Drew and Dylan McMullen and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

My dear dad, you have made me, your children, family and everyone who has come to know and love you proud. We thoroughly appreciate the decades of exemplary service you provided, and we salute you. Please enjoy your heavenly rest.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Andrew’s name can be made at http://give.classy.org/andrewjryal

Visitation on 1/16/25 6-8pm at Crowder Funeral Home

Funeral Service on 1/17/25 8-930am at University Baptist Church
Address – 16106 Middlebrook Dr, Houston, TX 77059

Burial to follow Service on 1/17/25 11am Sharp Houston National Cemetery
Address – 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr. Houston, TX 77038

Repass on 1/17 1-3pm at South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center
Address – 2500 South Shore Blvd, League City, TX 77573

Live Streaming of Funeral Service
When: Jan 17, 2025 08:00 AM Central

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