Dr. Kelly Matthews Ryder

October 7, 1977 ~ September 22, 2021

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church in Abbeville.  In the morning of Wednesday September 22, 2021, at 7:06 A.M. Kelly Matthews Ryder, DC, ART, CCSP, passed away at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from complications of Covid.   He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Fr. François Sainte-Marie officiating the services. 
Kelly was 43 years young born in the town of Abbeville, Louisiana on October 7th, 1977, to Yvette (Veazey) and John Ryder.
Dr. Kelly always loved cars, sneakers, cycling, bulldogs, and the military. Dr. Kelly became known as one of the best sports doctors in the country with a deep knowledge and passion in Brain Health. He was changing the way we heal.
He began his athletic career as a long-distance runner when he was only 14 years old. During his sophomore year he suffered an injury that nearly ended his running career. When his mom took him to a chiropractor, and he returned to the field to participate in the U.S. Junior Olympic Track & Field he was sold.
Dr. Kelly earned his degree from Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, TX, then completed a 300-hour sports medicine program from Palmer College in Davenport, LA. He was a board-certified Doctor of Chiropractic, and Chiropractic sports. He is a motivational and educational speaker also a member of the American Academy of Neurology, International Hyperbaric Association, Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs, American Chiropractic Association Sports Council, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, and a Member of the Texas board of chiropractors.
He was an avid supporter of his high school track team and generous donor to the organization. Dr. Kelly attended the opening and numerous track events every year at his high school.
He wasn’t just an amazing doctor but also an amazing person.  In 2008 a track star classmate took her own life after becoming depressed from losing quality of life to pain due to an accident.  Dr. Kelly sponsored and donated to officially have the Wildcats relay renamed after René Trahan.
Dr. Kelly had a deep passion and purpose in helping people get thru the most difficult times.  He gave hope to many people and believed Pain is not a lifestyle. He advocated for years and got Hyperbaric oxygen approved by the Department of Defense to troops with PTSD and TBI.
He took a very detailed approach to concussions and treated a ton of athletes in all ranges from pros to young athletes. He cared deeply about our youth and concussions were very important to him as impact at a young age could be life altering.
One thing that is for certain is he wanted everyone he touched to have a better quality of life. He didn’t just heal his patients he became their friends and was always rooting for them.
Dr. Kelly practiced sports medicine and rehabilitation for 16 years, with extensive experience covering the full spectrum of clinical sports medicine, including concussion management. Throughout this time, he developed a special interest in working with professional athletes, college athletes and veterans and active military who are having trouble with post-concussion syndrome. His experience encompassed all spectrums of sports medicine /rehabilitation, spinal manipulation, IV infusion therapy, food sensitivities, genetics, and hyperbaric medicine.
Focusing on the whole body and alternative therapy techniques, he alleviated pain and problems in patients through hands-on physical therapy, manipulation, and nutritional support, with additional experience that encompasses nutritional counseling, hyperbaric medicine, IV therapy, and many areas of functional medicine. Dr. Kelly believed in genetic mapping and piecing together a person’s history for better health.
Dr. Kelly didn’t care about accolades he received many and wasn’t just a leader to his peers but an innovator of using science to help mimic nature in supporting our bodies.  He was a doctor, a healer, a son, a husband to be, a friend to many, a true Legend. He cared about truly helping people to their best quality of life by getting to the root of the cause so the body could really get in optimal healing mode.  Dr. Kelly Believed that our bodies were created perfect by the Lord above and he simply helped remove the obstacles that kept us from our best with the latest research and technology.
It is a true tragedy for the world to lose a Legend with so much more to give in the time it’s hard to comprehend. We couldn’t save his life when he saved so many of ours.  The best we can do is our best to carry on his legacy.
Dr. Kelly is preceded in death by his father, John Harry Ryder; grandparents, John Harry Ryder Sr. and Therese Marceaux Ryder, W.C. Veazey and Audrey Angelette Veazey; and his uncles, Ricky and CJ Ryder.
Dr. Kelly is survived by his fiancée, Dr. Lori Michelle Cook of Baton Rouge; mother, Yvette Veazey Davidson; stepfather, John Davidson; brothers, Justin and Colt Ryder; Godmother, Angela Hoffman (Gary), Julie Walker (BoJack), Jackie Broussard, Roxie Broussard (Jenice), Lucinda Mire (Sonnie), Shernel Broussard (Tommy), Quang Doan (Ha), and Jense Veazey (Karen).
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths For His Name's sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;
For you are with me;
Your rod and Your staff - they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life. And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord My whole life long.
[Psalm 23:1-6; NRSV]
He used his knowledge and passion to help others as the most powerful blessing of all.
Sadly, our world will never be as great without Dr. Kelly Ryder but we will do our best to honor him in all his light.
Stay Low Crawl Slow. GodSpeed our Brother
In lieu of flowers or gifts please support  www.theryderfoundation.com which is being formed to carry on Kelly’s wishes, beliefs, modalities, and vision in helping others while keeping his legacy alive.
   The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 6:30 PM; Thursday, September 30, 2021 from 9:00 AM until 12:45 PM when the procession will depart for the church.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.