Ryan Christopher Stickley

July 15, 1977 - Feb. 22, 2018
SOUTH BEND - Ryan Christopher Stickley, 40, of South Bend, IN passed away unexpectedly on the morning of February 22, 2018 at Kaiser Hospital of San Leandro, CA.

Ryan was born on July 15, 1977 in South Bend to Vicky Stickley (Howell-Freeman) and Alan Stickley. He is survived by his mother, Vicky Stickley-Freeman (Howell); stepfather, Jon Freeman; father, Alan Stickley; stepmother, Mary Stickley; and siblings, Shane Stickley, Michael (Kathe) Freeman, Adam (Heather) Freeman, Kristin Johnson, and Matthew (Kathryn) Johnson. He is also survived by a large extended family.

Ryan graduated from Adams High School and the University of Indianapolis with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Management. He was a four-year lettered varsity tennis player at U of I. He was co-founder of Watering Seeds Organization - a non-profit for all-adaptive sports for disabled persons of all ages.

At age 22, Ryan moved to California to pursue his dream of modeling, acting, and coaching tennis. He was a runway model, did independent films, a rock video for the performer Pink, worked on television shows Cup and The West Wing, and was in Showtime and MTV Productions. Ryan's passion and love for the game of tennis never stopped. He was a tennis pro at several private clubs in California, a high school tennis coach at Head-Royce School, and Tennis Director at Oakland Hills Tennis Club. Ryan's other passion was cooking for all, anywhere, anytime.

Ryan always wanted to be a father and longed for that to be, but he had the love and respect of every youth whom he ever taught. Ryan believed all youth, all ages, were winners in every way that mattered.

Ryan was a life-long Methodist. FUMC Youth Group, church camp, his Sunday school classes, and the relationships built through church life were cherished family. He was a Senior Youth Leader even when he was not a senior. He was a big brother to all.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Palmer Funeral Home River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, IN 46615, where the family will receive friends from 1-4 pm, with a Memorial Service at 4 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Logan Community Resources, Inc., PO Box 1049, South Bend, IN 46624, or online to Logan via Paypal. Contributions may also be made to the Watering Seeds Organization at http://www.wateringseeds.org/ (all disabled, all ages, and veterans). Condolences may be given online at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

03/11/2018 JFC