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Memphian and prominent Republican attorney John Ryder loses life to cancer

John Ryder, who was a board member of the Tennessee Valley Authority, has died after a long battle with cancer. Ryder was from Memphis.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — John Ryder, who was a board member of the Tennessee Valley Authority and a former Trump appointee, has died after a long battle with cancer.

Ryder was from Memphis and even served once on the board of governors for Opera Memphis. Several politicians weighed in on his passing:

“Respect easily found John Ryder. He always gave it to others. His body of work speaks for itself and to state the obvious he was smart, eloquent, professional, always civil, and one who had gravitas. We are thankful we had him in our profession and certainly in our State.”
— TN Attorney General (@TNattygen) May 16, 2022

Roberta and I were saddened to hear about the passing of John Ryder. John was a brilliant lawyer and deeply cared about Memphis and Shelby County. John was a strong Republican leader at the local, state and national level. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lain and his daughters.
— Rep. David Kustoff (@RepDavidKustoff) May 15, 2022

With deft legal skills and an easy manner, John Ryder helped build the Tennessee Republican Party over nearly a half century.

He effectively served the Republican National Committee as its counsel and the people of this region as a TVA board member.
— Lamar Alexander (@SenAlexander) May 15, 2022

Memphis and Tennessee were impacted greatly by John Ryder’s call to service. He led with such passion and I saw this first hand growing up going to the same church. His passing is mourned by many. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and daughters.
— Representative John Gillespie (@GillespieVote) May 15, 2022

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of John Ryder. John served the Tennessee Republican Party and the Memphis area diligently and faithfully for many, many years. He spearheaded the Republican redistricting efforts and was known for standing by his principles as an attorney and as a statesman. But he was also loved for being a very nice, giving person. My condolences to the entire Ryder family," said House Minority Leader Karen Camper.