Ryan Gerald Redifer passed away on Sept. 1, 2018, in Grand Junction, Colo. He was 55 years young. The victim of a violent crime, Ryan had been hospitalized since Jan. 12, 2018. He had fought long and hard to get well and go home over the many months that he lived in the hospital, but sadly, on Aug. 25, 2018, he collapsed and did not survive.
Ryan was born on Aug. 7, 1963, in Aberdeen, Wash., the youngest son of Shirley and Tom E. Redifer. He grew up in Grays Harbor and loved fishing, clam digging and all manner of outdoor activities. He was fun-loving and tried everything at least once, then did it again if he liked it.
Ryan graduated from Weatherwax High School in Aberdeen, class of 1982. He discovered a love of automobile and motorcycle engines at an early age and soon became proficient in all manner of engine repairs. In fact, if Ryan couldn’t get an engine to run, it probably wasn’t going to.
Ryan served in the U.S. Navy from 1983-2003. He retired as a veteran 1st Class Petty Officer, serving as an Aviation Structural Mechanic Safety Equipment and was Air Warfare Qualified. During his service, Ryan was awarded eight Navy achievement medals, five good conduct medals, and various other personal and command commendations. He completed six overseas deployments in the Middle East, as well as successfully completing two tours as a U.S. Navy enlisted recruiter. Following his retirement from the Navy, Ryan worked for Bowie Resources and TK Mining. He was a heavy equipment mechanic and known as a “jack-of-all-trades.”
He was happy to offer a word of advice when asked, usually with levity and sincerity all at the same time. Ryan had integrity and he cared about making things right, all the while having the greatest time making it right, whatever “it” was. He was interested in people and showed understanding, but could also be a taskmaster if the situation called for it.
Ryan was a master of moment-to-moment trivia that seemed singularly tailored to the conversation at hand. He could recite song lyrics, song titles and had a full repertoire of funny sayings. For example, instead of saying he’d had a haircut, Ryan would simply send a picture text stating, “Hey, I got my wig busted!”
He loved to cook. If he didn’t have all the ingredients for a recipe, he simply substituted with what he had and then bragged about how good it turned out. He loved any and all kitchen gadgets, cooking shows, and cold beer. His favorite TV shows were “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” and “American Pickers.” An avid fisherman and gardener, Ryan would often compete with his brother Mike on both fronts, each shamelessly stating each other’s shortcomings and why one was “better” than the other.
Always generous to a fault, Ryan had kindness and caring for others beyond measure. There are endless tales of Ryan helping people down on their luck, and he would give most anyone the shirt off his back. Even during his long convalescence in the hospital, Ryan continued what would become part of his legacy by gifting one of his ICU nurses a favorite vintage Grateful Dead t-shirt, simply because he knew he would love it.
Ryan is survived by his loving daughters, Jessica Ryan Duty of Delta, Colo. and Rachael Nicole Johnson (Mitch) of Montrose, Colo.; grandchildren Aiden, Jacob and Blake Elizabeth. He is also survived by his mother Shirley Redifer of Olympia; brother Roger (Janie) of DesMoines, Wash.; sisters Janet Bissell, Tacoma, Wash. and Lisa Fairbairn of Olympia, Wash.; numerous nieces and nephews; the mother of his daughters, Jennifer Henderson of Montrose, Colo.; and two very special friends, now considered family, Jon Martin of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Sara McCormick of Paonia, Colo. His beloved cat Rover resides at the family home in Paonia, Colo. Two border collies, Jammer and Panda, were his faithful companions for years. Ryan was preceded in death by his father Tom and brother Michael “Redeye” Redifer.
Even at the time of his death, Ryan was still giving. His one remaining kidney was donated to save another’s life.
A celebration of Ryan’s life will be held on Oct. 6, 2018, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Paonia Town Park in Paonia, Colo. Bring a camp chair or picnic blanket, and if you can, a side dish or dessert to share. Come celebrate with us the amazing life and adventures of Ryan. For more information, contact Rachael at 970-209-0739. Live like Red!
Donations in Ryan’s memory can be sent to 7th Judicial District Crime Victims Compensation Program at 1200 North Grand Avenue Suite #200, Montrose, CO 81401. Please clearly mark donations as “Crime Victim Compensation.”
“Hey Buddy, we will miss you.”
