Harold J. Ryan, 95, Former Agricultural Commissioner, Dies

Harold J. (Buddy) Ryan, who served 44 years as Los Angeles County agricultural commissioner before his retirement in 1962, died Thursday morning in his South Pasadena home at the age of 95 after a brief illness.

Ryan took pride in the fact that during his years as commissioner, the U.S. Census rated Los Angeles as the leading county in the nation in the value of agricultural products before the onset of urbanization in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Ryan, who became commissioner in 1918, was a native of Lincoln, Neb., but grew up in San Diego and was graduated as an entomologist at Pomona College.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Rose; a daughter, Nancy Zabriskie; two sons, David and John, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. No funeral service is planned, but a memorial service will be held at a later date, the family said.