James Dennis Ryan

James Dennis Ryan, who had been a Janesville resident since 1967 and who taught school here for 25 years passed away on July 28, 2026. Dennis was born on July 7, 1937, in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. James C. and Irice (Butler) Ryan, who are interred at Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem, Oregon.

He is survived by two cousins, Dr. John Johnson of Houghton, Mich.; and Karen Bougneit of Sun City, Arizona. He is also survived by a loving family who “unofficially” adopted him, John Phillips (Janice Gordon) of Chicago, Ill.; Lisa Lindberg (Mike Bressette) of Byron, Ill.; Carolyn Jacobson of Sun Prairie, Wis.; Jennifer Phillips Wallace (H. K.) of Rockford, Ill.; Brett Phillips (Cassie) of Longmont, Colorado.

Dennis taught high school English, drama, journalism and American History at Eielson AFB, Alaska for two years; in Ketchikan, Alaska for two years; in Baguio, Philippines for two years and in Janesville, Wis., for 25 years. Dennis’ two passions in life were opera and tournament duplicate bridge. He served for three years on Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Chapters Executive Board where he edited Lyric’s publication “Chapter Notes”; he spent eight seasons as a member of Lyric Opera’s Adult Lecture Corps; for five seasons he co-chaired “Operaddicts,” a charter bus program that helped Janesville and other Stateline patrons who held regular subscriptions attend Lyric Opera’s performances; and he was a member for twelve years of the Rockford Chapter of Lyric Opera’s board of directors, serving some years as the board’s vice president and other years as development chair. Dennis also gave regular opera lectures in Rockford sponsored by the Mendelssohn Club. He was a member of the board of directors of the Bridge Center of Rockford for nine years, on the board of directors of the Northwest Illinois Bridge Association (Unit 239) of American Contract Bridge League) for six years; and chair of the annual Rockford Classic Sectional bridge tournament for eight years.

Dennis was also a stamp collector who maintained three collections: a general U.S. collection; an errors, freaks, and oddities on U.S. stamps collection; and a thematic collection on the 28 operas of Giuseppe Verdi.

A gathering of friends to honor Dennis Ryan’s life and legacy will be held at the Janesville Olive Garden at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Dennis has been laid to rest in the Belcrest Memorial Park, Salem, Oregon with his parents.

Henke-Clarson Funeral Home and Crematory assisted with arrangements. Online condolences can be shared at www.henkeclarson.com.