OVERBROOK, Kan. – James Donald “Jim” Bryan, 92, passed away on Sept. 16, 2022, at the Brookside Retirement Community, Overbrook, Kan. Jim was born May 16, 1930, in Melvern, Kan., to William Jennings Bryan Sr. and Sylvia Faye (Sell) Bryan. He was the youngest of four children.
Jim graduated in 1948 from Scranton High School, Scranton, Kan., and owned and operated the family farm for more than 50 years. Jim was a long-time member of Young Farmers and the National Farmers organizations.
On Jan. 27, 1951, Jim was united in marriage to Laurel Johnson. They shared more than 71 years of loving marriage.
He is survived by his wife, Laurel Bryan, Overbrook; three daughters, Dawn Carnes, Carbondale, Kan., Laurie (Doug) Spencer, Orlando, Fla., and June Bryan, Eau Claire, Wis.; four grandchildren, Marc (Jin) Carnes, Statesboro, Ga., Jenny Carnes, Topeka, Kan., Jackie (Scott) Pfeifer, Marshfield, Wis., and Tatiana (Aaron) Scott, Rogers, Minn.; and two great grandchildren, Nicholas and Alex Pfeifer, Marshfield.
Jim discovered the joy of volleyball in his 60s and spent many hours on the court with his volleyball “family” for the next 25 years. He also enjoyed local theater and opry events. During quieter times, he learned the art of stained-glass picture-making, and his numerous creations hang in the homes of all his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and all three siblings, William Jennings (Eugenia) Bryan Jr., Charles (Evelyn) Bryan, and Nina Mae Kiefer.
A graveside memorial service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Scranton Cemetery, Scranton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Brookside activity fund, and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, PO Box 268, Overbrook, KS 66524. Condolences can be left at www.lamb-roberts.com.
The Bryan family would like to give thanks to the wonderful team of caretakers at the Brookside Retirement Community Assisted Living and Nursing Home that took such great care of Dad these past five years, as well as the dedicated Phoenix Hospice workers that took care of him in his final days.
