Angie Rye

Angie Lee (Ares) Rye entered into eternal rest on Monday, December 25, 2023 at age 97.

 Angie was born in Tuttle, Oklahoma on May 28, 1926 to Calvin Ares and Mae Dean Campbell. She moved to El Paso as a young girl, attending Alta Vista Elementary and Austin High School. Angie loved riding the trolley downtown by herself to watch movies at the Plaza. Summers were spent at the family cattle ranch in Carlsbad, NM. As a young woman she worked at Fort Bliss and enjoyed handing Wernher von Braun his paychecks.

Angie married Jack Rye on August 2, 1947. Life with Jack, president of KTSM-NBC affiliate, was exciting as the network was expanding from radio to TV. They traveled to Ft. Worth, TX and Salt Lake City, UT as Jack studied how to bring television to El Paso. While in Ft. Worth, she worked at Carswell Air Force base, moving from horse cavalry to nuclear bombers in a few years. Their life with NBC took them around the country meeting many interesting personalities along the way. After surviving the crash of a B-47 near their east side home (1955), they lived briefly in Kern Place, then settled down in the new, west side development of Coronado Hills. The family of four enjoyed many memorable road trips in their beloved 1957 VW beetle, one of the first in El Paso.

During her 60 year marriage with Jack, Angie bowled in lady’s leagues at Thunderbird Lanes and took up golf at the El Paso Country Club, excelling in both sports. Bridge was another love that she continued her whole life. As a 50 year member of St. Clements Episcopal Church, she participated in countless Drive-a-Meal deliveries, Bargain Bin drives, and other charity activities. Jack and Angie adored traveling to far flung places, cruising literally around the world. She was a doting daughter, lovingly shepherding her mom through 101 years of life. With their two sons, she participated in a multitude of activities including Cub Scouts, Putnam Halloween carnivals, and endless driveway basketball practices.

Angie’s last seven years at The Montevista at Coronado was the icing on her cake, being surrounded by dear friends, old and new, playing bridge and Shanghai rummy, in a supportive, loving fellowship. All of us, family & friends, will miss this warm-hearted, ever-thoughtful, and beautiful woman.

Angie is survived by her sons, Dale Rye (Christine) and Larry Rye (Daphne); her granddaughter Ashlee Barton Rye; and her great-grandchildren Sophia Schmidt and Pyper Barton. The family sends deep thanks to all the great staff at The Montevista independent living community, and also to the wonderful staff of Good Samaritan White Acres and Good Samaritan Hospice in her final weeks.