Ryan Patrick Moore

Ryan Patrick Moore, a Colorado native, died peacefully at his home in Thornton, Colorado on July 13, 2024, surrounded by his loving family and beloved dogs. Ryan battled glioblastoma for 19 months prior to his death. Son of Paula (Rawlings) Moore and J. Kevin Moore, Ryan was born February 13, 1974, in Englewood, Colorado and grew up in Littleton, Colorado. 

As a teen and young man, Ryan attended Jefferson County Open School and Colorado Mountain College where he had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the US, Mexico, the Bahamas and Russia. Ryan gained a strong appreciation for travel through these experiences. Ryan would go on to share his love for travel, adventure, and new experiences with his family and many friends. Ryan often remarked, “There are places I wouldn’t necessarily go back to, but there is no trip I regret taking.” 

Before his retirement in 2023, Ryan had a long and rewarding career working with young adults with special needs, both in the nonprofit sector and in the public school system. His professional career began at Laradon where he worked in the adolescent education program. It was while working at Laradon that Ryan met his future wife, Karyn. His experiences at Laradon informed Ryan’s ultimate decision to pursue a degree in Behavior Science with a minor in Special Education from Metropolitan State University of Denver. He simultaneously completed his Special Education Generalist license. Ryan worked for Adams12 Five Star Schools for nearly 20 years, first in a classroom setting at Horizon High School and Mountain Range High School, and later as a coordinator for the district’s Transition Services. Ryan moved to Mapleton Public Schools near the end of his career and is credited with significantly improving the Transition Services program there during the two years preceding his retirement. Ryan spent the summer of 2007 working for the City of Lakewood, Colorado and often mentioned how grateful he was to have learned to repair sprinkler systems in the city parks, skills he used many times as a homeowner. 

Ryan married Karyn (Wyrick) in Denver in July 2001. Together they have two sons: Colin, born in 2004 and Alec, born in 2009. Ryan and Karyn discovered together their love for golden retrievers and Ryan deserves full credit for training three well-behaved Goldens for Karyn to spoil. Ryan’s work schedule on the academic calendar allowed him to be a dedicated hands-on father who spent the summers off teaching the boys important life skills and imparting his love for the outdoors, travel, sports, and home improvement projects. 

Ryan is survived by his wife Karyn and sons Colin (20) and Alec (14) of Thornton, Colorado and his mother Paula, also of Thornton. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Timothy and Kyndra Moore of Littleton, Colorado, and nephews Cameron Maestas, Joey Martinez, and niece Haleigh Moore as well as his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Loretta (Wyrick) and Jeff Severin and niece Ellorie Severin of Lawrence, Kansas. Ryan’s father preceded him in death. 

Ryan loved building furniture, completing home improvement projects, hiking, camping, and cheering his sons on in their chosen sports and activities. Many of these passions will live on in his family and friends. 

A memorial and celebration of Ryan’s life is planned for Tuesday, August 6, 2024, between 11am and 2pm at Highland Tavern in Denver, Colorado. Sr Amy Willcott, SCL, will officiate a brief program at 11:30am. In lieu of flowers or other gestures, the family asks for your consideration in donating to the education expenses of Ryan’s sons: https://everloved.com/life-of/ryan-patrick-moore/ 

Stories, photos and memories of Ryan are being collected here if you would like view them or leave a memory of your own: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/374Pzr51