Ryan Morse, 44, a huge part of a Wayland athletic family and community, died Tuesday, April 2.
The son of longtime WHS baseball, golf and football coach Rick Morse, Ryan played golf and baseball for Wayland High School and his daughter, Leigha, is an accomplished softball catcher at Aquinas College. She collected seven hits in a doubleheader sweep Wednesday over Cornerstone, only a day after his death, His wife insisted she play over her grief because that’s way Ryan would have wanted it.
Ryan was a loving husband and proud dad, spending his days watching his children play sports, always will be their biggest fan. WHS softball coach Cheri Ritz and assistant Nicole Cardosa announced the Lady Wildcats will dedicate the season to him.
Other than rooting for Leigha and son Carter in football and baseball and for his younger children, his passions were family vacations, camping, fishing and golfing.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years Kerri Morse; children Leigha (Josh), Carter, Kenna, Kami; parents, Rick (Marsha) Morse; in-laws, Joe (Mary) Schumaker; brother, Matt Morse; grandma, Mary Morse; sister-in-laws, Kelli (Keith) Calkins, Wendi (Eric) Thompson; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation with the family will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 7, at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home at 4330 18th Street, Dorr. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 8, with an hour of visitation prior at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 9408 Wilson SW, Byron Center. Msgr. William Duncan will be presiding.
