David Andrew Rye

Monument, CO - David Andrew Rye, 40, passed away on Friday, January 16th, 2015. Born on February 13th, 1974, in Aberdeen, MS, he was a son of Margaret Virginia Huggins Rye and the late James Allen Rye.

He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at The First Baptist Church in Amory, MS. After graduating from Amory High School, Class of 1992, David joined the US Navy. Following his discharge, he briefly worked as a home health respiratory therapist, then moved to Charlotte, NC, to teach at a local Elementary School. He returned to Amory, where he attended MSU, receiving his Master's Degree in Linguistics and Education, specializing in the Spanish language. Accepting a position at Sterling High School in Baytown, TX, David taught classes for at-risk students. Passionate about his students and loved by them in return, he instilled hope, encouragement, and success, by sharing his knowledge and insights with his students and thereby having a huge impact on their lives.

After taking a medical retirement in 2013, David concentrated on being a devoted father, and husband, while still counseling others with Fibrosing Mediastinitus. An avid reader he had a wealth of knowledge he would gladly share with others. He was also a sports fanatic from watching wrestling to football, especially MSU football. He enjoyed spending time with his best friend and brother, Kent. A very giving man, and always smiling, he was a loving son, great brother, and friend to many. David's positive outlook on life, especially his courageous battle with his illness, was his testimony.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Rye, Baytown, TX; son, Andrew James Rye, Baytown, TX; Diane Ziehlke McNeill, West Columbia, TX; brothers, Kent Rye, and children, Savannah, Harley, and Kristen; Kevan Rye (Joney), and children of Amory; Keith Rye, and daughter, Lauren, North Carolina; Kraig Rye (Connie) and children Kraig Jr., Shelby, Cameron, and Brandon; nieces, Hali and Heather Hoffpauer and Brandy Fiebig; uncle and aunt, Hank and Virginia Hood; Smithville; uncle, Ralph Huggins, Mesa, AZ; uncle and aunt,Erbie and Sharon Huggins, Foley, AL; uncle and aunt, Robert and Josephine Walker, Silverhill, AL; sister-in-law, Nikki Soriano and children, Taylor and Derrick Babb, Baytown, TX; sister-in-law, Talida Collins, Sturgis, MS; brother-in-law, Robert Kemp, Columbus MS; father and mother-in-law, Eugene and Faye Smith, West Point, MS; lifelong friends, Jaska and Dee Cason, Monument, CO.

In addition to his father, David was preceded in death by brothers, Kenneth Alan Rye and John Wayne Hoffpauer.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, January 24th, 2015, at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory, MS with Rev. Wally Cason officiating.

Visitation will be from 11:30 AM - 12:50 PM, Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to the Office of Rare Diseases Research, Fibrosing Mediastinitis, NIH, 6701 Democracy Blvd, Ste 1001, Bethesda, MD 20892 or to LeBonheur Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 41817, Memphis, TN 38174-1817.

Memories and condolences may be shared with his family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.