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Obituary for Johnny Bryan
John Robert “Johnny” Bryan died peacefully on August 17, 2022, in Ridgeland, MS. He was born on March 17, 1942. He graduated from Belzoni High School in 1960 and then attended the University of Mississippi where he was a member of ETA chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Upon graduation from Ole Miss in 1964 he served 2 years in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant. While stationed in Fort Polk Louisiana he met Mary Frances Chase. They were married in 1966 and enjoyed 56 years together.
He obtained a Masters degree in Business from Mississippi College and graduated from the Banking School of the South.
After many years as a banker in Jackson and Crystal Springs, including serving as a bank president, he worked with Gulf Guaranty Life Insurance Company and made many lifelong friends.
Johnny was a devoted sports dad who coached baseball and soccer. This included a perfect winless 0-12 season for the Downtown Kiwanis team in 1979. He never missed a sporting event for his sons, and later loved attending games to watch his grandchildren.
His volunteer work included terms as booster club president at both Copiah Academy and Jackson Academy. He faithfully followed the Ole Miss baseball team all over the United States to watch his son Doyle play for the Rebels.
Once a prolific drinker, he defeated the “whiskey monster” in 1985 and maintained his sobriety until his death in 2022—a streak of 37 years. This was one of his greatest achievements.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Frances Chase Bryan, sister Sandra Bryan Crosthwait and brother-in-law Frank O. Crosthwait, Jr, son John Chase Bryan, daughter-in-law Lee Anne Bryan, son Doyle Bryan, daughter-in-law Jenny Bryan, grandsons John Chase Bryan, Jr, James Price Bryan, Bailey Bryan, Benjamin Doyle Bryan, granddaughter Mary Love Bryan and niece Gail Crosthwait England.
A memorial service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church in Jackson on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 12 noon. Visitation will be in Fowler Hall at 11:00 am.