Joseph Alan Ryder, 52, of Gurley, passed away at his residence on January 2, 2015. He was born and raised in Ohio, where he was a firefighter and paramedic. He moved to Gurley in 1993 and worked as a self-employed mechanic and farmer. Joe was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He had a great sense of humor, very quick to laugh and to have everyone around him laughing. He had the biggest heart and always thought of others before himself. He enjoyed farming, gardening, raising farm animals and was a “jack of all trades” handyman; if it was broke, he could fix it. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Betty Ryder, and his mother-in-law, Grace Cowan. His survivors include his wife and best friend for 21 years, Mary Ryder; children, Sarah Ryder, Stephanie McLaughlin (Lance) and David Earl Avery; grandchildren, Samantha Avery and Natalie McLaughlin; brothers, Jim Ryder (Phyllis), John Ryder (Jean), and Tom Ryder; sisters, Sandy Fenton (Gary), Sue Maple (Bill), Mary Kibler (Johnny), Kate Arnold and Jeannie Lewis (Danny); father-in-law, Vernon Cowan, and many nieces, nephews and friends. His memorial service will be at 5:00 pm, Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at 355 Horse Cove Road, Gurley, AL.
