Obituary of Ryan Gene Distel

Ryan Gene Distel, 44 years old; Tucson, Arizona; passed away April 9th, in his home. 

 

Ryan, name meaning “little king” and to us, he was our king, our everything, was born on September 29th, 1977 to Margaret Wolf and Edgar Distel in Grand Junction, Colorado. He was perfect. He was and always will be immensely treasured.

 

After Ryan graduated from Flowing Wells High School he went on to study at University La Verne, California where he received his Bachelor’s degree.

 

In 2001, he met his wife Dara Distel and together they had two children: Cienna and Ryder Distel. 

 

On April 9th, God decided that he needed Ryan and therefore he passed away without warning. Ryan’s death has left all his family, friends and all that had the blessing of knowing him in absolute turmoil. As his wife says, we weren’t done yet.”

 

Ryan planned to make a butterfly garden in the backyard, he was finally going to the rock concert this year with his wife that had been postponed 3 years (due to COVID), he was taking his family on an RV adventure to see his niece graduate college, so many dreams and goals and adventures he had planned. He was the master of adventure and creating so many joyful experiences.

 

He leaves a huge hole in the hearts of his family and friends who were always entertained by his witty charm, ability to make people feel loved and welcomed, and he truly brought the life to the party.

 

Ryan touched everybody’s lives and made it a point to make all those he encountered feel so important and special. He showed up when it mattered, had your back, gave to those in need, and would defend and stand up for his loved ones should the need for it arise. He kept us safe. 

 

Ryan proudly filled so many roles in life: committed father, doting husband, loving son, hands-on uncle, dependable friend, encouraging track coach, entrepreneurial spirit, and incredible human being.

 

He is survived by his wife Dara Distel, children Cienna and Ryder Distel, mother Margaret Wolf and her husband Don Wolf, father Edgar Distel, brothers Michael Distel, Travis Distel and his wife Christie, Andrew Distel, nieces Sam, Alyssa, Ashley, and Hailey, nephews Marcos and Matthew, his in-laws, Elaine and Mohammad Omar, and brother in law, Jared Omar. 

 

“You never said I’m leaving, you never said goodbye. You were gone before we knew it, and only God knew why. A million times we needed you, a million times we cried. If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a place that no one could ever fill. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God took you home.” Author Unknown.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 3pm at St Andrews Preschool Chapel, 7650 N Paseo Del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704, You can park in the north parking lot, walk through the corridor, the chapel is straight ahead. 

Reception at El Molinito Mexican Restaurant 10180 N Oracle Rd, Oro Valley, AZ 85704 from 5-7pm.

Streaming the service is availible through this link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/3802062745

If you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to his children’s fund: https://givesendgo.com/DistelFamilySupport <https://givesendgo.com/DistelFamilySupport?fbclid=IwAR1aEByMDFkJTZw2x4O2sr2HAojPTFpjjlZ67Tr1oDfbwaInsMsqiqQs_Vg>

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