Lawrence Ryan was the first person to die on the A&E documentary television series, "Intervention." He ran a successful chain of tanning salons, but was an alcoholic for "at least eight years", according to his family. By the time Lawrence was filmed for the documentary he was already in advanced liver failure, evidenced by the bruising all over his body. He also did not complete chemotherapy and radiation for testicular cancer.
Although interventionist Jeff Van Vonderan was successful in getting him to go to treatment, he was asked to leave after 30 days due to the denial of his alcoholism. He remained sober on his own for three weeks before he relapsed. He died from a tear the esophagus which was not treatable.
His obituary is as follows:
Lawrence Gary Ryan, 34, of Las Vegas, passed away Feb. 22, 2008. He was born Oct. 1, 1973, in San Jose, Calif., and resided in Las Vegas since 1981. Lawrence was the president of Neon Sun Tanning Salons and was a member of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. Lawrence is survived by his mother, Rita (Bill) Phillips of Las Vegas; brothers, Raul Gonzales III and Rayes Anthony Gonzales, both of Las Vegas; stepbrother, Eric Phillips of Las Vegas; stepsister, Pamela (Steven) Little of Las Vegas; grandparents, Richard and Trinidad Martinez of Sacramento, Calif.; grandfather, John A. Phillips of Magnolia, Texas; his soulmate, Wendy of Las Vegas; his cat, Fang; and a host of extended family and friends. Viewing and vigil service will be from 4-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29, both at Christ the King Catholic Community Church, 4925 S. Torrey Pines Drive. Interment will follow at Palm Memorial Park - Northwest.
Although interventionist Jeff Van Vonderan was successful in getting him to go to treatment, he was asked to leave after 30 days due to the denial of his alcoholism. He remained sober on his own for three weeks before he relapsed. He died from a tear the esophagus which was not treatable.
His obituary is as follows:
Lawrence Gary Ryan, 34, of Las Vegas, passed away Feb. 22, 2008. He was born Oct. 1, 1973, in San Jose, Calif., and resided in Las Vegas since 1981. Lawrence was the president of Neon Sun Tanning Salons and was a member of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. Lawrence is survived by his mother, Rita (Bill) Phillips of Las Vegas; brothers, Raul Gonzales III and Rayes Anthony Gonzales, both of Las Vegas; stepbrother, Eric Phillips of Las Vegas; stepsister, Pamela (Steven) Little of Las Vegas; grandparents, Richard and Trinidad Martinez of Sacramento, Calif.; grandfather, John A. Phillips of Magnolia, Texas; his soulmate, Wendy of Las Vegas; his cat, Fang; and a host of extended family and friends. Viewing and vigil service will be from 4-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29, both at Christ the King Catholic Community Church, 4925 S. Torrey Pines Drive. Interment will follow at Palm Memorial Park - Northwest.
Lawrence Ryan was the first person to die on the A&E documentary television series, "Intervention." He ran a successful chain of tanning salons, but was an alcoholic for "at least eight years", according to his family. By the time Lawrence was filmed for the documentary he was already in advanced liver failure, evidenced by the bruising all over his body. He also did not complete chemotherapy and radiation for testicular cancer.
Although interventionist Jeff Van Vonderan was successful in getting him to go to treatment, he was asked to leave after 30 days due to the denial of his alcoholism. He remained sober on his own for three weeks before he relapsed. He died from a tear the esophagus which was not treatable.
His obituary is as follows:
Lawrence Gary Ryan, 34, of Las Vegas, passed away Feb. 22, 2008. He was born Oct. 1, 1973, in San Jose, Calif., and resided in Las Vegas since 1981. Lawrence was the president of Neon Sun Tanning Salons and was a member of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. Lawrence is survived by his mother, Rita (Bill) Phillips of Las Vegas; brothers, Raul Gonzales III and Rayes Anthony Gonzales, both of Las Vegas; stepbrother, Eric Phillips of Las Vegas; stepsister, Pamela (Steven) Little of Las Vegas; grandparents, Richard and Trinidad Martinez of Sacramento, Calif.; grandfather, John A. Phillips of Magnolia, Texas; his soulmate, Wendy of Las Vegas; his cat, Fang; and a host of extended family and friends. Viewing and vigil service will be from 4-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29, both at Christ the King Catholic Community Church, 4925 S. Torrey Pines Drive. Interment will follow at Palm Memorial Park - Northwest.
Although interventionist Jeff Van Vonderan was successful in getting him to go to treatment, he was asked to leave after 30 days due to the denial of his alcoholism. He remained sober on his own for three weeks before he relapsed. He died from a tear the esophagus which was not treatable.
His obituary is as follows:
Lawrence Gary Ryan, 34, of Las Vegas, passed away Feb. 22, 2008. He was born Oct. 1, 1973, in San Jose, Calif., and resided in Las Vegas since 1981. Lawrence was the president of Neon Sun Tanning Salons and was a member of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. Lawrence is survived by his mother, Rita (Bill) Phillips of Las Vegas; brothers, Raul Gonzales III and Rayes Anthony Gonzales, both of Las Vegas; stepbrother, Eric Phillips of Las Vegas; stepsister, Pamela (Steven) Little of Las Vegas; grandparents, Richard and Trinidad Martinez of Sacramento, Calif.; grandfather, John A. Phillips of Magnolia, Texas; his soulmate, Wendy of Las Vegas; his cat, Fang; and a host of extended family and friends. Viewing and vigil service will be from 4-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29, both at Christ the King Catholic Community Church, 4925 S. Torrey Pines Drive. Interment will follow at Palm Memorial Park - Northwest.
