Arthur R. Bryant Jr. Obituary (1929 - 2012)

Arthur R. Bryant Jr., 82, known as Art, passed away January 13, 2012, in Lincoln, NE from brain cancer. Art was born on February 3, 1929 to Margaret and Arthur R. Bryant in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Beatrice High School, Class of 1947. He was a Distinguished Military graduate of the Wentworth Military Academy and member of the National Society of Scabbard and Blade military honor society, graduate of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, and Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa with a master's degree in Economics. He retired from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 1997 as an Information Analyst with the Computing Services Network. His career's work was designing and managing large data systems for hospitals, corporations, and insurance companies. Art served faithfully and honorably for 34 years in the United States Army. He was commissioned in 1951with the 246th Field Artillery Missile Battalion. His numerous officer assignments included air defense, artillery, civil affairs, military intelligence, ordnance, and transportation. He retired from the Army Reserves, as a Colonel in 1984, having received the National Defense Service Medal and Armed Forces Reserve Medals for 10, 20, and 30 years. He taught for a number of years for the Army Reserves School in various locations in the United States. His hobbies included woodworking, creating cherished items for his children and grandchildren. He was a model car, model railroad, and coin enthusiast. For many years he was a Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts Troop 623 in Kirkwood, Missouri. In retirement he traveled the world with Friendship Force International. Art served as treasurer and on the Board of Directors for the Lincoln Izaak Walton League, as well as National Director for the organization. His dogs, throughout the years, were faithful companions. Art was preceded in death by his first wife, Janice Hannaford Bryant, his sister, Barbara Britton, his parents, and a nephew. Those left to cherish his memory are his widow, Mary Ann Bryant of Lincoln; her son and his spouse, Jeff and Heidi Sauter and children, Justin, Mandy, Mackenzie, and Mason of St. Louis, MO and Art's children and their spouses, Michael and Barbara Bryant of Rolla, MO; Drs. R. Samuel and Lorrie Bryant of Lincoln; and Drs. Mariann and Robert Culver, W. Des Moines, IA; Art's brother, Bill and Gay Bryant of Godfrey, IL. In addition, grandchildren Jeremiah Bryant, Jennifer and Brent Schomer, Beth and Stephen O'Neill, Christine and Ben Wigert, Ann and Kate Culver; great grandchildren, Riley, Connor, and Kinley O'Neill, and Vanessa Schomer, nieces, nephews and numerous friends from around the world. A memorial service celebrating Art's life, will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 20, 2012 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 7130 Kentwell Lane, Lincoln. Interment will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice, NE at 3:00 p.m Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Trinity United Methodist Church, Saint Elizabeth Foundation, Lincoln, NE or Izaak Walton League of America Trust in Gaithersburg, MD. Messages of condolences or personal reflections, and guest book signatures may be submitted online at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.