RYAN'S STORY

CPL Ryan David Masters was born in Rockford IL and grew up in Rockton IL.  He attended Rockton schools and was a 2011 graduate of Hononegah High School.  During his 4 years of high school, he played basketball, football and participated in track.  Ryan was an all-conference football player in the NIC-10 conference in 2010.  Ryan attended Southwest Minnesota University on a football scholarship and after leaving SMSU, he attended University of Wisconsin – Platteville.  

​

At the age of 21, he enrolled in the United States Marine Corp.  Ryan served as a Marine from 2014-2018.  He was stationed at Twenty-Nine Palms California and operated an Amphibious Assault Vehicle.  He earned the title of Corporal and became a crew chief during his time as a Marine.  He was deployed to Okinawa Japan on 2 occasions.  His tours included visits to South Korea, Philippines, and Fuji.  

Ryan worked at Nicor Gas in Rockford IL since July 2018.  

​

Ryan loved his family, friends, and he loved sports!  He would argue with anyone when it came to sports.  His favorites team were the Michigan Wolverines, St Louis Cardinals, the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Buccaneers.  He enjoyed golfing with his dad and brother-in-law, playing a game of basketball in the driveway, attending sporting events with his family and friends, and spending time with his cat, Yadi.  He also loved watching movies and The Kardashian’s and The Bachelor/Bachelorette with his sister, Gabby.  

Ryan struggled with PTSD and the transition to civilian life after leaving the Marines.  It was a battle he faced along with his family and friends and he succumbed to the struggle on March 9, 2021.