Obituary of David W. Bryant, Sr.
David William Bryant Sr. passed away Wednesday December 20, 2017 due to complications from a stroke. He was dearly loved and will be missed by his family and friends.
Dave was born to William Bryant and Helen Grebing Bryant in Tulsa on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1938. Helen later raised her son with Frank Josey. A lifelong Tulsan, he graduated from Central High School and attended the University of Tulsa on an athletic scholarship. Dave played on the freshman basketball team and spent four years on the TU tennis team. He was a member of both Student Senate and Sigma Chi Fraternity, a cheerleader for the Golden Hurricane, and a member of five national honor societies. Dave graduated with a BA in History and Religion.
Continuing his education at TU, he received his Masters degree in Education and Psychology before attending and receiving his Doctorate of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at SMU. He finalized his education with a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in Sociology.
Dave served several Methodist churches. He especially enjoyed working in the areas of Christian Education and youth ministries. He remained in those areas long after he decided to enter the business world. During this time, he met and married his wife Louise, always referring to her as his “much better half”. They raised their family in Tulsa.
Dave worked in hospital administration for a brief time before becoming an agent for Farmers Insurance Group, through which he established the Dave Bryant Agency of Tulsa. He received many honors with Farmers. He earned the President’s Council designation, both as an agent and as a district manager. Additionally, he served as an officer for Farmers Political Action Committee and represented them at the legislative level. As a Board member of Farmers University, he was instrumental in the training of agents nationwide.
Dave was a past member of The Rotary Club of Tulsa and a past president of Southeast Rotary Club. He volunteered as a mentor and tutor through Rotary. Dave and Louise hosted foreign exchange students and many international business leaders through Rotarian programs.
As a member of Asbury Methodist Church, Dave taught the Mariners class and several adult classes for many years. He remained a member of the Faithbuilders Class at Asbury until his passing.
A devoted father to his children, Dave coached football, baseball, basketball and softball teams. He and Louise shared a love of all sports and attended many of their children and grandchildren’s sporting events, at which he was rarely a quiet observer. They enjoyed traveling, spending time at Grand Lake, and being season ticket holders of their beloved Sooners. Also an avid golfer, Dave loved to casually mention his several holes-in-one on various courses. He was always working on his game.
Never at a loss for words, Dave (aka “Big Dave”, “Papa”, “Senior”, “Bear”, “Clark”) had an acute sense of humor that he shared with everyone around him. He is survived by his wife Louise, children David W Bryant II (wife Katy) of Tulsa, Shannon L Beeson (husband Brandon) of Dallas, Tiffany C Gerard (husband Randall) of Dallas, and brother-in-law Jim McMasters (wife Dawn) of Sand Diego. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Will Bryant (wife Rachel), Luke Bryant, Elizabeth Bryant, Saxon Bryant, Hadley Beeson, Abigail Beeson, Bryce Beeson, Grier Beeson, Riley Gerard and Piper Gerard.
The family would like to thank the staff of Methodist Manor, the nurses at Seasons Hospice, and their amazing friends, for their care, love, and support. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that any memorial donations be made to:
-Asbury Methodist Church, 6767 South Mingo, Tulsa, OK 74133
-The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, 815 South Utica, Tulsa, OK 74104
-Methodist Manor, 4134 East 31st, Tulsa, OK 74135
A memorial service will be held Thursday January 4, 2018 at 2pm at the chapel at Asbury United Methodist Church in Tulsa.
Ninde Brookside Chapel 918-742-5556. www.ninde.com