Cousin Chad

Chad Crocker Ryle

February 26, 1992--February 13, 2015

During that birthday celebration, we got a call from Sheyanna.  They had just learned that Chad was found dead in his trailer.  They weren't sure at that moment what had caused his death, but in the next few days we would learn that he died of massive cardiac arrest.  This news rocked us to our very core, and I was so grateful to have everyone together when we got Sheyanna's phone call.

Chad was a chatter-box.  He was goofy.  He chose to do things his way, even if they didn't go so well.  Chad loved family.  He loved to laugh--loudly.  :)  He loved his mom, whom he lost at an early age, and he loved Jerry and Sheyanna (Auntie) who did their best to guide him along his rocky path.  He had great stories to tell.  He was my birthday buddy.

Jerry and Sheyanna's week was suddenly filled with making plans that they didn't want to have to make, and Jeff and I returned to Colton a week later for Chad's funeral where hundreds of family members and friends said their goodbyes.

Sheyanna did such a beautiful job on his obituary:

"You have to be odd to be number one.” - Dr Seuss 

“I'm not high strung enough to say I'm number 1, but I love how well this fits me.” - Chad Crocker Ryle 

Chad Crocker Ryle, 22, of Uniontown passed away unexpectedly of a massive cardiac arrest at his home on Friday, February 13, 2015. Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. at St. Gall Catholic Church in Colton on Friday, February 20. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday February 21 also at St. Gall’s. A reception will follow. Viewing will be held at the Rosary and one hour prior to Mass time at the Church. 

Chad was born on February 26, 1992 to Ronald W. “Chip” Ryle and Shayla-Marie Crocker in St. Maries, Idaho. When Chad was five, he along with his younger brother Erik Martin and his mother moved to Colton, Washington to be closer to her sister. He attended kindergarten at Colton and did his early elementary education at Guardian Angel St. Boniface Catholic School. His mother married Grant Mesa in 1999 and the family moved to the Boise-Eagle area. In November of 2000, his mother and step-father were killed in a car accident. This prompted Chad’s return to St. Maries where he lived with his father and attended Heyburn Elementary. Eventually, Chad’s desire to be closer to Colton, a place he always considered “home” lead to his return, where he lived with, and was raised by his aunt and uncle, Sheyanna & Jerry Weber. During that time he also maintained a relationship with his father Chip in St. Maries. The two families shared a mutual respect and dedication to raising Chad. He finished his primary education at Guardian Angel-St. Boniface Catholic School and then went on to Colton High School, graduating in 2010. Chad was a member of the Colton Knights of Columbus at the time of his death. 

After high school, Chad attended Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston for a year. He worked a variety of jobs and did spend six months working in the North Dakota oil fields. At the time of his death he was a delivery driver for Papa John’s pizza in Lewiston. He also worked part-time for Garlinghouse Memorials in Lewiston, setting headstones at area cemeteries. 

Chad was an incredibly bright and determined person. He was very loyal to his friends and would give them the shirt off of his back, sometimes to his own detriment. He had a huge heart and was not one to hold a grudge for long. He was genuine and caring and fought many obstacles in his life. He was truly an inspiration to those who knew and loved him. 

Just as Chad’s life events were unconventional, so was his family. Family is more than blood, and extends far beyond the traditional social definitions. He is survived by his father Ronald W. “Chip” Ryle and wife Suzy of St. Maries, his uncle Jerry & Sheyanna (Auntie) Weber of Colton, his grandparents Rozanne Ryle of Hayden, Idaho, Bill & Candy Crocker of Fernwood, ID, LeRoy & Trudy Weber of Colton; siblings Erik (Abby) Martin of Coeur d’Alene, ID, Shelby (Ken) Henderson Baum of Spokane, WA, Shalene Mesa of Pleasant Hill, Oregon, Levi Weber of Colton, Nathan (Lindsay) Weber of Pullman, and Sarah (Adam) Wood of Lake Stevens, WA and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Shayla-Marie Crocker-Mesa and stepfather Grant Louis Mesa, his grandfather Ronald Ryle, and his uncle Tom Weber and uncle Bob Moore. 

Memorial contributions in Chad’s honor are suggested to the Guardian-Angel St. Boniface School or to Whitman County Humane Society. Kimball Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.