William Lewis "Lew" Ryder M.D.

William Lewis “Lew” Ryder, MD, 90, of Lake Charles passed away at 1:05 AM on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 in his residence.

Dr. Ryder was born on March 5, 1926 in Alexandria, La. After graduating from Bolton HS in Alexandria, he enlisted in the final Army Cavalry Unit serving in WWII and then began his educational pursuits by enrolling in Louisiana College and graduating with honors in 1950. He completed his medical and psychiatric/psychoanalytic training at LSU Medical School in New Orleans, N. La. Hospital & Clinic in Shreveport, Philadelphia Psychiatric Center in Philadelphia, Pa, and Emory University Psychoanalytic Training Institute in Atlanta, Ga., between 1951-1968.

He began his general practice of medicine & surgery in Alexandria, in 1955, was elected Coroner of Rapides Parish in 1960, began private psychiatric practice in Atlanta, Ga., in 1965, then moved his practice to Shreveport in 1972. Dr. Ryder relocated to Pineville, La., in 1989 as River North Treatment Center Medical Director, which housed a Christian-oriented Rapha (“God Heals”) Unit. From 1989 to the present, he worked as psychiatrist/psychoanalyst in varying capacities, including Medical Director, Clinical Director, Director of Psychiatric Services at several different facilities throughout Central and South Louisiana. He was affiliated with Christian Counseling, VOA, Resource Management Services, Healthy You Social Services, NHS-Human Services, Capitol City Family Health Center, and Stonebridge Behavioral Health.

Dr. Ryder acknowledged Jesus not only as Savior but as Lord of his life in 1974 and committed his life to Christ, prayerfully studying God’s Word, teaching Sunday School classes, Bible study groups, monitoring graduate courses of seminarians, led and participated in many seminars relating to the problems of everyday living for the Christian. Dr. Ryder’s teaching topics included the “Psychology of Religion,” “Sociology from a Christian Perspective,” each correlating the secular perspective with the differences involved from a Christian perspective. For the past 45 years Dr. Ryder has endeavored, through the grace of God, correlating the valid psychological principles with the spiritual principles of the Bible. This resulted in his focus of practice as “Psychoanalysis and Psychiatric Counseling Founded in Biblical Principles.”

Dr. Ryder has written “Why J. R.?” addressing the problem of the religion of Humanism, its impact on our culture, and the problem of anxiety and depression for Christians. He was preparing two manuscripts dealing with helping both Christians and non-Christians come to a personal experiential understanding of Who God is in Christ Jesus.

Dr. Ryder was admired by many, but most importantly, was greatly loved and gave huge love to everyone. Those left to cherish his memory are five daughters, Cheryl Ryder Brightwell of Lake Charles, Janis Ryder Bosely (Howard) of Lake Charles, Annette Ryder of Atlanta, Ga, Brenda Ryder of Lake Charles, and Alycia Ryder Griffiths (Lenny) of Cisco, Tx; four sons, William Lewis “Buddy” Ryder, Jr. of Burbank, Ca, Robert Ryder (Stephanie) of Lake Charles, Garrett Ryder, MD (Angela) of Lake Charles, and Darryl Ryder of Moss Bluff; many other nieces, nephews, adopted sons and daughters; two sisters, Billie Ruth Ryder Koch of Lawrenceville, Ga and Evelyn Hope Ryder Calhoun of Mansfield, La; nineteen grandchildren; and fourteen great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lelia “Tee” Fant Ryder and his parents, Janie and William L. Ryder.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 5, 2017 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Ronnie Burke will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will begin on Saturday from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM and will resume on Sunday from 11:00 AM until the start of the service.