Gerald "Whitey" Ryals

Gerald Ryals, 88, of Unionville, MO passed away at the Boone County Hospital in Columbia, MO on Thursday, February 7, 2019 with his loving wife Colleen at his side.

Gerald was born on May 1, 1930 in Omaha, MO, the son of John Truman and Olive Marie (Abbott) Ryals.  He graduated from Unionville High School in 1948. Whitey was drafted into the U.S. Army serving during the Korean Conflict in Germany.  Later he joined his father in Ryals Oil Company and Supreme Cattle Company. Whitey married Colleen Black in Unionville, MO, December 26, 1955.  They had several gasoline service stations including one on East Main St. The family raised Angus and then Chianina cattle, being members of the American Angus Association. They later discovered their love for exotic animals.  Whitey was fascinated with genetics and crossed elk with sika deer to make silks.  He even succeeded in increasing antler growth on Whitetail deer.  At Whitey’s prime, the family raised 15 different species of exotics and worked hard at bottle feeding 50+ deer in the same season.  Interesting stories spreading throughout town would somehow at times involve the Ryals’ baby tigers and huge snakes.

Whitey loved his family. He played the lottery because he wanted to be able to give to his children.  Whitey and Colleen had recently celebrated 63 years of marriage, leaving a legacy of love and commitment for their children and grandchildren.

In addition to his wife Colleen, Gerald is survived by their 3 children, Denise Malloy and husband Calvin of Potosi, MO; Mark Ryals of Spring Branch, TX; and Monty Ryals and wife Marla of Unionville, MO. Whitey’s surviving grandchildren are Ryan McCormack and wife Laura, Jake Malloy and wife Tiffany, Bryce Malloy and wife Adriene, Talon Ryals and girlfriend Alyssa, Zack Ryals and girlfriend Krysta, Aimee Ryals, Ashley McCormick and boyfriend Michael, Brody Ryals, James Wood, Hali Ryals, and Jessica Ryals.  Whitey is also survived by 17 great grandchildren Sierra, Magnum & McKenzie McCormack, Asante, Aly, Ada & Anaya Malloy, Olivia & Amora Malloy, Cassidy, Cole, & Levi Ryals, Dylan Ryals, Landen Cullor, Hannah & Levi McCormick, Emery Ryals, 1 great-great granddaughter Antoinette Allen, brothers Roger & wife Darlene and Ronnie Ryals & wife Vicki, and sisters Margaret Harmison, Joanne Davis, Shirley Kay Comstock & husband Phil, Debbie Mathews & and husband Keith, and Sherry Huffman, sisters-in-law Shirlee Ryals and Jean Jones and brother-in-law Bobby K. Jones, and many nieces and nephews who all love him dearly.

In addition to his parents, Whitey was preceded in death by siblings John Ryals (in infancy), Truman Ryals, Marjorie Luse, and Richard Ryals, brothers-in-law Carl Luse, Ron Harmison, P.J. Davis, Jack Comstock, and Philip Huffman, and sister-in-law Jolene Ryals Powell.

No services for Whitey are scheduled at this time; Memorials are suggested to the Unionville Cemetery and may be entrusted to the Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO  63565.