Alex (Alec) Gray Bryan age 77 of Jacksonville, NC passed away on March 6, 2017 at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice in Willmington.
He was born on September 18, 1939 in Jacksonville, NC son of Odessa Gray Bryan and Ramon Hatch Bryan
Alex graduated from Jacksonville High School Class of 1957, Attended and graduated the University of Mount Olive where he received his Associates Degree and latter earned a Bachelor of Science at East Carolina College and Masters of Science and Vocational Industrial Education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC.
He worked as a Health Inspector for the Department of Health in Onslow County, Morrison and Knudsen as Head of Sanitation for King Khalid Military Base in Saudi Arabia. He carried on the family tradition and continued to farm. Alex was a partner in the Tarheel Opera House in Jacksonville, and taught Biology at Richlands and Topsail High School and Agriculture and Physical Science at Topsail Middle School and Burgaw High School.
Alex was an accomplished guitar player, also played the mandolin, ukulele and picked a little Banjo. Guitar was his first love and was well know in the Country and Blue Grass Circle from South Carolina to Tennessee. He was well know and well loved wherever he played but, his favorite musician by far to play with was his son Chris Bryan. He was a gentle soft spoken man with a smile bigger than life and non-stop energy.
Alex leaves behind his son Christopher Bryan and Fiance Bernadette Commesso, His former wife and friend Joyce Kenney Bryan of Greenville Tenn., Brothers Ben Bryan and wife Patsey of Jacksonville, Willie Bryan and wife Ann, of Hampstead, Hatch Bryan and wife Sue, Rupert Bryan and wife Rhonda of Beulaville, and sister Harriet Bryan Baker of Jacksonville. Many nieces and nephews and cousins. His very special friend and companion Anne Henderson of Whiteville and Wallace. His precious childhood friend and classmate Jackie Evans-Ledbetter of Jacksonville and Sanford long time friend Sally Campbell of Jacksonville and close long time musician friends Kent Davis and Frank Rochelle of Jacksonville.
A memorial service will be officiated by Dr Eric Jones and held at The Bible Church Ministries, 266 Bannermans Mill Rd. Richlands, NC on Tuesday March 14, 2017, visitation at 6:00pm services at 7pm.
The Family would like to thank the Lower Cape Fear Hospice of Wilmington for the excellent care given to Alex and the love and support given to the family.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Lower Cape Fear Hospice 1414 Physicians Dr. Wilmington, NC or to The Bible Church Ministries at 266 Bannermans Mill Rd. Richlands, NC.
Arrangements are in the care of Coastal Cremations. Please share memories and condolences with the Bryan family by clicking on "Share a Memory."
6 Comments
He wasy step-father, but he always treated me as a son.
Farewell my dear uncle. You were one of the biggest reasons I’ve played music all of my life. You’ll forever be in our hearts and minds.
Alex was married to my mom for many years and he always had a grin on his face whenever I saw him.
being around Alex was always a treat. I always left feeling better because he was an upbeat person with a perpetual smile & a kind word. Alex will live on in our great memories of him.
Alex was the lead guitar player in the first band I was in over 40 years ago. I wasn’t finished learning licks from him yet. I never saw him without his smile and a laugh.
just like Cliff he was the lead man in the first band I ever played in, we weren’t the best but I promise you no one had more fun than we did ,and when I missed a chord or twelve he would just look at me with that big ole mule eatn briars smile and say that’s all right right,noone ever noticed ,he would say after the first set man we got er made now,and Elec as everyone called him Elec you ve made er made through the first set now.
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