Ryan, George Kelly, 1911-1977

George Kelly Ryan was a geological engineer, prospector, and land use advisor who lived in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1959 until his death. He served in the Marines during World War II and was a member of the Disabled American Veterans. George was also active in the Nevada Mining Council and the First United Methodist Church. George was born June 3, 1911 in Salt Lake City, Utah. His father was Archer De Vol "Archie" Ryan and his mother was Maggie Kelly. Archie was a member of the original railroad survey crew who laid out the Union Pacific railroad route in Las Vegas between August 1903 and October 1904. In the late 1920s, Archie served as the head of the Salt Lake Office of the United States General Land Office, Department of the Interior. During this time, Archie helped to get George a job as part of the General Land Office survey party. Beginning in 1929, Archie assisted in performing preliminary surveys in Southern Nevada for the construction of Hoover (Boulder) Dam. George later met Ora Smith and married her in March 5, 1960. After her marriage, Ora was also known as Ora Palmer Pritchard Ryan. George Kelly Ryan died June 6, 1977.