Johnnie McCoy Bryant Jr. was a story teller at his core. Anyone could be related to, with good story. His animated, joyful voice was entertaining and engaging. Jon was an author of two books in written form, but he had countless stories that would relate to the gamut of human experiences.
Jon was the eldest of three children born to Johnnie McCoy Bryant,Sr., and Dorothy Elizabeth (Dot) Bryant on November 15, 1947 in San Bernadino, California. He was raised in Simi Valley, CA with his younger twin sisters Darleen Elizabeth and Kathleen Susan Bryant who is also his only living sibling. Jon thoroughly enjoyed telling stories of his upbringing in southern California in the fifties and early sixties and embraced the culture and identity of a southern California kid. His stories were full of classic cars, parties, music and girls.
Jon was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam war where he served one tour of duty beginning in 1966 to 1969 as a Navy Corps Corpsman in the Marine Corps. When asked about his service, he always began with, “It was the best thing I ever did with my life”. His identity was rooted deeply in being a part of the toughest and “best” branch of the armed forces. He always attended the Marine Corps birthday celebration wherever he was located; would always approach a fellow veteran and offer solidarity with a hearty “Sempre Fi”; and in his later years even had a walker and wheelchair with Marine Corps emblem on it. Many people knew him simply as “Doc” including his grandson, Tyler Best who called him Doc as term of endearment and honor.
Jon was married to his high school sweetheart Toni and had two sons: Christopher and Douglas Bryant with her. Later in life, he married his second wife Diana Ferree Bryant and had four children, Kimberley Anne, James Gregory, Brooke Lindsey and Jeffrey Scott Bryant. They resided on Lopez and San Juan Islands, WA. Jon was blessed to have these six children and was proud of all their achievements and the grandchildren they provided him with although none of them were able to give him a beloved “strawberry blonde” granddaughter which he jokingly offered to pay $1000 to the first child to provide him one.
Jon was a Christian and generously donated to homeless charities, children with medical complications and his local church. He was generous to anyone he called a friend and loved to talk about how God always provided for his needs and would always remind others that God would do the same for them.
Wherever Jon went, he was the life of the party. His infectious, almost silent laugh and his stories that brought laughter to those he shared with brought joy to many of our gatherings and to say he will always be loved and missed is a gross understatement. Jon’s passing, although not surprising, has created another empty seat at our table and our hearts will ache until we see him again.
Jon was preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie and Dot Bryant and his sister, Darleen. He is survived by his children: Christopher, Douglas (Anna Dahlke), Kimberley (Darin Best), James (Savannah), Brooke and Jeffrey; grandchildren: Jed,Tyler Best, Taylor (Kiana), Haylen Bryant, JT and Tristen Wilcox, Harley and Miria Bryant; great granddaughter Paisley Bryant and his sister, Kathleen Edwards.
In lieu of flowers, you may make donations in Jon’s name to:
Dr Charles Stanley's In Touch Ministry and or
To share memories of Jon, please visit www.evanschapel.com/obituary/jon-bryant