Raymond John Ryan (January 9, 1904 in Watertown, Wisconsin – October 18, 1977) was an American professional gambler, oilman, promoter, and developer. Described as having a larger-than-life personality, he mingled with prominent businesspeople and movie stars, as well as with cardsharps and mobsters on his path to fame and fortune. His sensational murder case was never solved.
In the 1920s he went into the oil business, but was unsuccessful. In the process, he did, however, learn some powerful lessons about making timely investment decisions. He finally succeeded in the oil drilling in the 1940s due to the booming oilfields of southern Indiana, Illinois, and western Kentucky. His oil business was managed by Kentucky native, William "Billy" Gorman, who died in a mysterious horse riding accident in 1974.[1]
In 1949, Ryan gave an inscribed gold key chain to Las Vegas mobster Davie Berman that read, "DB from Ray Ryan, 1949."[2] Yet in the 1960s Ryan was reported to have testified against the mob in an FBI case, a factor that could have been linked to his eventual murder in 1977. Another theory is that he was alleged to have cheated mob-connected gambler Nick the Greek in poker for over $500,000 in 1949, and old resentments over this had flared up.[3]
In 1962 Ryan, with partner Ernie Dunlevie, opened the Bermuda Dunes Country Club which later became a host club for the Bob Hope Classic golf tournament and where Clark Gable built a home on the sixth fairway.[5]
Ryan was the target of a public IRS audit in the 1970s over some disallowed deductions stemming from his involvement in and development of the Mount Kenya Safari Club, in Nanyuki, Kenya, with actor William Holden.[6]
Murder in Evansville, Indiana
In 1964, Marshall Caifano was convicted of extorting $60,000 from Ryan, who testified against him.[7] The conviction was upheld in 1966, and Caifano was sentenced to 10 years in prison.[8] When Caifano was released from prison in the 1970s, Ryan reportedly offered him $1 million in restitution; however, on October 18, 1977, Ryan was killed.[8] Ryan went to a health club, as he often did. When he finished his workout, he walked outside to his new Lincoln Mark Vcoupe. However, someone had connected a bomb to the ignition of the car. As soon as Ryan turned the key, Ryan's car exploded violently. The impact of explosion killed Ryan almost instantly. It took investigators two days to locate and collect all of the pieces of the car – one piece of metal was located 377 feet from the scene of the explosion.[9] The murder is unsolved.
^Neil, Denise Ortuno (July 16, 2016). "Early builders' gamble on Bermuda Dunes". The Desert Sun. Gannett.
^"Two Birds Bet A Million On A Club In The Bush,", Sports Illustrated, May 20, 1963
^"Two in Extortion Case Convicted on Coast". February 8, 1964 – via NYTimes.com.
^ abJustice, United States Dept of (May 5, 1965). "Annual Report of the Attorney General of the United States". U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General – via Google Books.
^Marynell, Herb. . Evansville Courier & Press. Jack D. Pate. Archived from the original on August 16, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2009.
Further reading
Bagby, Steve; Marynell, Herbert (2013). Mob Murder of America's Greatest Gambler. North Charleston, S.C.: CreateSpace Publishing. ISBN978-1479336142.
External links
, University Archives & Special Collections, University of Southern Indiana
ryan, businessman, raymond, john, ryan, january, 1904, watertown, wisconsin, october, 1977, american, professional, gambler, oilman, promoter, developer, described, having, larger, than, life, personality, mingled, with, prominent, businesspeople, movie, stars. Raymond John Ryan January 9 1904 in Watertown Wisconsin October 18 1977 was an American professional gambler oilman promoter and developer Described as having a larger than life personality he mingled with prominent businesspeople and movie stars as well as with cardsharps and mobsters on his path to fame and fortune His sensational murder case was never solved Contents 1 Biography 2 Murder in Evansville Indiana 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External linksBiography EditIn the 1920s he went into the oil business but was unsuccessful In the process he did however learn some powerful lessons about making timely investment decisions He finally succeeded in the oil drilling in the 1940s due to the booming oilfields of southern Indiana Illinois and western Kentucky His oil business was managed by Kentucky native William Billy Gorman who died in a mysterious horse riding accident in 1974 1 In 1949 Ryan gave an inscribed gold key chain to Las Vegas mobster Davie Berman that read DB from Ray Ryan 1949 2 Yet in the 1960s Ryan was reported to have testified against the mob in an FBI case a factor that could have been linked to his eventual murder in 1977 Another theory is that he was alleged to have cheated mob connected gambler Nick the Greek in poker for over 500 000 in 1949 and old resentments over this had flared up 3 El Mirador Hotel plaque In the 1950s and 60s Ryan was a land developer in Palm Springs California Real estate development in Palm Springs did not generate much interest until actor Clark Gable built a home there Ryan joined with 24 other investors to purchase the run down El Mirador Hotel in Palm Springs After restoring it to its former elegance he bought out his partners in 1960 The list of regular guests included William Holden Dean Martin Gregory Peck Paulette Goddard Ginger Rogers Louella Parsons and Freeman Gosden among others Howard Hughes secured a separate cottage to ensure privacy 4 In 1962 Ryan with partner Ernie Dunlevie opened the Bermuda Dunes Country Club which later became a host club for the Bob Hope Classic golf tournament and where Clark Gable built a home on the sixth fairway 5 Ryan was the target of a public IRS audit in the 1970s over some disallowed deductions stemming from his involvement in and development of the Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki Kenya with actor William Holden 6 Murder in Evansville Indiana EditIn 1964 Marshall Caifano was convicted of extorting 60 000 from Ryan who testified against him 7 The conviction was upheld in 1966 and Caifano was sentenced to 10 years in prison 8 When Caifano was released from prison in the 1970s Ryan reportedly offered him 1 million in restitution however on October 18 1977 Ryan was killed 8 Ryan went to a health club as he often did When he finished his workout he walked outside to his new Lincoln Mark V coupe However someone had connected a bomb to the ignition of the car As soon as Ryan turned the key Ryan s car exploded violently The impact of explosion killed Ryan almost instantly It took investigators two days to locate and collect all of the pieces of the car one piece of metal was located 377 feet from the scene of the explosion 9 The murder is unsolved See also Edit biography portalMarvin DavisReferences Edit Marynell H Ray Ryan Life as Gambler Hacienda Hot Springs Retrieved 19 May 2015 Scott Cathy Murder of a Mafia Daughter The Life and Tragic Death of Susan Berman 2002 ISBN 1569802386 Fessier Bruce Gangsters in Paradise The Desert Sun November 29 2014 El Mirador A Grand Hotel El Mirador had a style and charm which reflected a time of graciousness and conviviality Neil Denise Ortuno July 16 2016 Early builders gamble on Bermuda Dunes The Desert Sun Gannett Two Birds Bet A Million On A Club In The Bush Sports Illustrated May 20 1963 Two in Extortion Case Convicted on Coast February 8 1964 via NYTimes com a b Justice United States Dept of May 5 1965 Annual Report of the Attorney General of the United States U S Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General via Google Books Marynell Herb Over in a flash Evansville Courier amp Press Jack D Pate Archived from the original on August 16 2009 Retrieved March 8 2009 Further reading EditBagby Steve Marynell Herbert 2013 Mob Murder of America s Greatest Gambler North Charleston S C CreateSpace Publishing ISBN 978 1479336142 External links EditNewspaper clippings about Ray Ryan On This Day Ray Ryan Murder University Archives amp Special Collections University of Southern Indiana https nation africa kenya news sex gamblers mafia untold story nanyuki mt kenya safari club 3769416 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ray Ryan businessman amp oldid 1080896483, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
