Donald Gene Bryan
Beloved husband and father, Donald Gene Bryan, joined his Lord on April 12, 2017 after a long decline with Alzheimer's disease.
He was born January 14, 1931, in Yale, Oklahoma to Ralph and Cecile Bryan. Ralph returned to Edmond with his young family when Don was about two, and eventually built a home at 715 South Boulevard. Growing up, Don ran the hot dusty roads around small town Edmond, traipsed to known fishing holes with pole and gear, and hunted game with his dog, Pat.
He joined the National Guard in 1950 and went to Korea with his cousins, William (Bill) and Leroy Bryan. His group assignment there was to keep communications operating between the Command Post and the front lines. With tanks on the move, damage was frequent to the wires. It was especially tough work during Korea's bitter winters. Happily, the cousins returned safely in 1952.
Don hit the ground running acquiring employment in electronics at Tinker Air Force Base and building a home on the shores of Lake Hiawassee. He loved fast boats and cars.
In 1962, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Frances (French) Coleman of Kansas City, Missouri. Don adopted her daughter, Carrie, and they shared the Lake house until the couple bought land in Edmond on Fifteenth Street between Coltrane and I-35. Here, Don built their dream home. The house and other structures on the acreage are a testament to his skills as a designer and craftsman.
He was a man of integrity, always honest, faithful and fair. He had a quiet sense of humor and a touch of stubbornness.
He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Shirley (Rogers) Bryan.
He is survived by his wife, Frances, daughter and son-in-law, Carrie and Bill Hoge, and many cousins.
He is terribly missed and forever loved.
A memorial service will be celebrated at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Edmond, OK (Main & University), June 8 th at 10:30 a.m.