Eudell Ryan
Eudell “Yock” Ryan, 79, of Sour Lake, Texas, departed for his latest hunting and fishing trip on April 2, 2026.
Born on November 29, 1946, in Alta, Iowa to parents Dr. Jack and Pearl Ryan, Eudell was a bit insulted to have been born “one hundred years too late,” as he was quite fond of saying. In his mind, he was born to be a mountain man, and he became somewhat of a legend in the Southeast Texas hunting and fishing community. In fact, his family often wondered how he ever made it through school at all, considering that he always skipped school for opening day of squirrel and deer season…or when the catfish were biting on Pine Island Bayou…or whenever the sun was shining a certain way, really.
But graduate he did, and Eudell realized he had more places to explore than the woods and creek banks. He obtained his pilot’s license at 18 years old and took to the skies, often flying his friends around Nacogdoches for the three years he spent at Stephen F. Austin University. Yet once again, school proved too boring for him, and he returned home to Sour Lake and, after working for the Carpenter Corporation at Fralise and Sour Lake Motor Company, started his own heavy duty construction company, which he operated until his retirement in 2012.
Owning his own business allowed Eudell the time to craft one of the greatest adventures of his life, his yearly hunting trip to Durango, Colorado. For fifty-two years, Eudell traveled to the mountains to camp and hunt bear, elk, and mule deer. These were the moments he lived for, being in the mountains with his best friends, doing what he loved the most.
He’d always make it back for opening weekend of whitetail season here at home, and late fall and winter were always spent down at the lease with his children and, later on, his grandchildren, sitting around a campfire, sharing stories, another of Eudell’s favorite pastimes. We hope you all continue to tell stories of the man, the myth, the legend, in the days to come, he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Make sure you throw in some tall tales while you’re at it.
Eudell is survived by his children, Matt (Susan) Ryan of Sour Lake, Texas and Megan (Chelsea) Ryan of Beaumont, Texas; grandchildren, Nick, Kate, and Jackson Ryan of Sour Lake, Texas; brothers Jack Ryan of Phoenix, Arizona and Dallas Ryan of Edinburg, Texas; cousins, Gary Duncan of Beaumont, Texas, Mary Rowan of Waco, Texas, and Rene Henry of Hominy, Oklahoma; former wife, Lynda Farris Ryan; and many other family members and friends.
He is preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Ernest Eudell and Tina Ryan; parents, Dr. Jack and Pearl Ryan; and his younger brother, Randall Ryan.
His family would especially like to thank his “honorary brother,” Bobby Linscomb, for the tireless support and love he gave Eudell through his final months.
In his honor, the family wishes you’d grab a fishing pole and go “wet a line” for the legend himself!
A gathering of Mr. Ryan’s family and friends will begin 10:00 a.m., with his funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 11, 2026, at First Baptist Church, 765 6th Street, Sour Lake. His interment will follow at Rosedale Cemetery, Sour Lake, surrounded by three generations of his family, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
Gathering of Family and Friends
First Baptist Church-Sour Lake
- 765, 6th Street, Sour Lake, Texas, 77659,
- April 11, 2026
- 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Funeral Service
First Baptist Church-Sour Lake
- 765, 6th Street, Sour Lake, Texas, 77659,
- April 11, 2026
- 11:00 am
Interment
Rosedale Cemetery
- 635, Old Beaumont Road, Sour Lake, Texas, 77659,
- April 11, 2026
There will never be another one like him. The mold was broken. Rest in peace our brother and friend.
R.I.P. Eudell
He was a great guy to know and I enjoyed his tales. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Prayers for his family and friends.
Always thought Eudell was invincible.
Prays for Eudell’s family and local and(distant) friends. Deepest condolence.
Some folks set the bar pretty high up there.
Other folks set the bar pretty far out there.
Eudell set the bar way out there.
He was a combination of Tarzan, Daniel Boone,
John Wayne, and Yosemite Sam.
He kept us amazed, inspired, flabbergasted and entertained his whole life.
He was the last of the Sour Lake woodsmen.
Rest in peace.
Matt, very sorrow to hear of this. I want to say that I had the honor of meeting your dad back when I worked at Sour Lake Motors years ago. I know you are going to miss him. My dad passed about 28 years ago and I still miss him regularly.
My dad- The memories are so far-reaching, how does one even decide what to share?
I knew him best through his time in Durango, CO, although plenty of trips were taken to Texas. I question why he chose the July heat for my first visit, but fun was still had. Padre Island, Austin, San Antonio, the Riverwalk, the Alamo, SeaWorld, Fiesta Texas, Galveston, shopping in the cute small stores of Fredericksburg, floating on the Guadalupe and of course, lots of time playing in hotel pools to escape the heat.
Not having much in the way of stores in Durango, meant we always loaded me up with toys from big city toy stores.
Durango was where our time together really shined. When I was younger, his visits were frequent and he always stayed at my house. He’d be the last to finish eating dinner because he would be so busy entertaining us with stories. His yearly October trips meant we always carved pumpkins together. We had a place that served an all-you-can-eat fish night. It was one of his favorites and he would always have me get more food, to then give to him. As a young child, I remember being captivated by how hard his muscles were. His calves would be especially prominent to me when I would sit on his lap. He would frequently request my mom to groom his bushy, overgrown eyebrows. It was quite the comical sight to be seen, a big, strong, gruff man squirming about while she took the tweezers to him.
So much time spent outside, in the mountains, by the lakes and the river. I still have the cooler we would load up for all the picnics. Birthdays and holidays stand out. We always enjoyed the cozy, quiet time spent by the light of the Christmas tree, or getting up when it was still dark to open presents. I remember perching in the crabapple tree of our front yard, waiting to see his red Dodge rolling up the road. He’d always compare the miles on that truck in relation to the distance to the moon.
He left many memories, with many people here in Durango. I know he’ll carry pieces of Durango on with him, and we will always embrace the pieces of Texas he left with us. Your Durango daughter will love you always, Brittany
Binxie (it’s hard for us old timers to call you Jack), Dallas and rest of family: Sour Lake has lost a true original. Clare is right, talking about his gruff self. He could pitch a fit and yell, but inside was a big teddy bear. Last time I remember talking to him at length was at Brookshire’s. He was carrying on loudly (the poor young cashier) about something I told him; that was Eudell. In later years I mostly remember him riding the roads in his red pickup truck. Our families were close in our younger years. I specifically remember them over here one night and us kids were outside counting the “shooting stars”. You could see them a lot better back then. Or we would be at their house riding the trolley (what is called a zipline now). They first had it out of the top of their barn and later it went over their pond and you could drop into the water. Eudell was many things to many people, but he will certainly be remembered fondly by so many. Rest in peace Eudell.
Message to the Family of Eudell Ryan,
We are sending our sincere sympathy as we know you will miss him very much. We met Eudell several years ago through our mutual friend David “Animal” Blake from Shamrock Tx. They would visit us when Eudell came to hunt with Blake. We ate several meals together at my house here on the farm and told a lot of good stories. In these last years Eudell and I visited by phone and I sent him some stories I had written for the Winchester Journal. I tried to have some words of comfort for him about what was ahead. We enjoyed his friendship . It was a great honor to have known him and will miss him.
Sincerely Ronnie and Dixie Ward – Clarendon, TX
What a great guy. I’m going to miss him. Some of my very best memories growing up were with him (and Matt and friends). To me, he was a patient man that understood and loved the outdoors. He was gracious and he cared. He took the time to teach me (and Matt and friends) about the outdoors and nature, but also took the time to teach us why – why nature and the outdoors are important. He valued God’s creation more than anyone I’ve ever met. He taught us to leave things better than we found them. I’m going to miss him. Condolences to all the family. What a great guy.
Binxie, Dallas and Ryan Family.
Sorry for the loss of Eudell. He was an ever present member not only when we were kids, but in the community. Lifting your family up in prayers.
So sad to hear of his passing. Praying you find peace & comfort in Our Lord during the coming time. Eudell has been the best neighbor. I will miss his gruff self.
May he Rest in Peace.
Eudell and I had many catfishing trips together and crappie fishing on Toledo bend lake. We visited often have fish fry’s and telling hunting and fishing story’s . One the best friends a man could have . Going to miss him every day . He well be in my heart always.❤️❤️❤️
A very special friend. He will be missed.
Eudell was a very good friend to us. As we travel the Old Sour Lake Road to Sour Lake, we would always see Eudell on the road headed to the woods. In school, he spent time lifting weights and would always challenge anyone to max their strength. He certainly enjoyed his life and conversation with those around him. God bless all.
He was just one of the best. Everyone’s favorite.
We will all miss him, and think of him often.
Judi Johnston Benoit
Eudell was my high school boyfriend and first true love 🥰 We had a wonderful time our senior year and spent lots of time checking his “trot lines” on Pine Island Bayou and riding around the pastures across from his house! He used to bring my Mama squirrels to cook 😳 He was a very special guy and we will all miss him.
God bless him 🙏🏻
We met in the fifth grade, and like all the boys who knew him I wanted to be his best friend. He had many best friends through the years and I never stopped wanting to be counted among them. I’m gonna miss you, Eudell.
Eudell, came to Durango, Colorado 40+ years ago and spent his time hunting Elk, bear hunting and fishing in our mountain lakes. Eudell will be missed in our family life and I’m glad to of known him. May he rest in peace.