Gerald D. "Jerry" Bryant

We were blessed to have had Jerry Bryant with us on this earth for 72 years. During those years, he rarely spared a minute to idleness. He served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and proudly displayed our flag on his front lawn. He had a long sales career during which time he raised three sons; Jeff Bryant of Chillicothe, Ohio, Brandon Neudecker of Dover, NH, and Todd Bryant of Troy, Ohio. He was proud to be the father-in-law to Julie Neudecker and Kathy Bryant, and grandpa to Oliver, Cooper, James, Jenna, Evan, and Ava. During his retirement, Jerry sped up rather than slowed down. He settled in Somerset, Ohio where he emersed himself in several community ventures. He became an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist, was a member of the Historical Society, a Master Recycler, and a member of the Somerset Book Club, as he was an avid reader. Too, Jerry was a member of Good Hope Lutheran Church in Glenford, Ohio, actively offering his time and skills to many worthwhile projects. During the Christmas season, no matter the weather, Jerry delighted in being a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. When at home, you were likely to find him on his John Deere tractor keeping his land pristinely manicured or in his basement workshop crafting to perfection beautiful pieces of furniture and other projects. Porch Kitty, a once stray cat he took in many years ago was usually curled up and purring close-by. At nine on the dot, he indulged in a bowl of his favorite Velvet brand ice cream and chocolate chip cookies. Jerry’s sons remember that he was a loving father, had an amazing sense of humor, and couldn’t go anywhere without meeting someone he knew. He remained close to his nieces and nephews, and his cousins, especially Jim and Karen Sturgill with whom he often vacationed. He leaves a bevy of former childhood classmates who stayed in contact with frequent phone calls and many reunions. They had been a mischievous crew so their get-to-gethers were full of laughter and reminiscing about near death adventures growing up. Jerry’s last year was full of challenges. After brain surgery in June, he remained stoic in his desire to recover. He never missed a day without exercising and withstood many treatments and procedures without complaining. Doctors at the chemotherapy clinic at Ohio University Hospital referred to Jerry as their Poster Child because he remembered all their first names and maintained such a positive attitude. In July, he married Jacqueline F. Webb Bryant after a long courtship. They shared a love not often found in the autumn of your life and planned to have many years together. But, that was not to be. In the early morning hours of April 9, 2020, with Jacqueline holding him, God called unexpectedly. His death is a great loss to us but rather then bidding farewell, we rejoice in knowing that one future day, in a higher clime, we will say, “Good Morning!” Because of the Covid 19 virus, a memorial service will be postponed to a later date. www.bopethomasfuneralhome.com

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