Phoenix, Ryan Wesley 
	
Ryan Wesley Phoenix, 33, of Longview, passed away on January 
6, 2008. Ryan was born September 15, 1974, in Longview. As a 
boy, he was a member of Summerfield United Methodist Church, 
and later in life, he was a member of the First United Methodist 
Church of Longview. He graduated from Longview High School in 
1993 and had a long career as a self-employed finish trim 
contractor. Throughout his life, Ryan enjoyed the outdoors. 
Whether it was fishing the creeks and lakes of East Texas, 
hiking the mountains of Arkansas, walking in the woods near 
his home, camping and kayaking at Lake O' the Pines, or 
vacationing with his family and friends on the beaches of 
the Gulf Coast, Ryan was most at home in nature.

One of Ryan's many endearing traits was his sense of humor. He 
possessed a quick, sharp wit and loved to make people laugh. 
Ryan's love of music began at a young age. He learned to play 
the piano as a child, played the saxophone for the Judson Middle 
School Band, and had a special passion for the guitar through 
the years.
Another of Ryan's passions was reading a wide variety of 
literature from historical fiction novels to "Lord of the Rings"
to National Geographic. A dedicated husband and father, Ryan 
used his creative energies to make up games with his daughter 
and build toys for his children.
Ryan is survived by his wife, Kimberly of Longview; daughter, 
Anna Claire; son, Jack Ryan; parents, Robert and Sue Phoenix; 
brother, Andrew Phoenix; sister, Jennifer and her husband, Dane 
Massey of Dallas; grandparents, Leonard and Lucille Phoenix of 
Diana, and Mary Summerill of Irving; parents-in-law, Steve and 
Christy Triece of Longview; and sister-in-law, Becky Triece of 
Longview. He also will be fondly remembered by numerous aunts, 
uncles, cousins and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 
10, 2008, at First United Methodist Church in Longview, with 
Dr. Pat Sparks officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to a trust account for Anna 
and Jack Phoenix at Regions Bank, P.O. Box 2392, Longview, TX 
75606.

A visitation with the family will be held at 6 p.m. this evening, 
January 9, 2008, at Welch Funeral Home, 4619 Judson Road, Longview.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 1/9/2008.