R.A. “Doc” Bryant

R.A. “Doc” Bryant, 78, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014.

Services were held on Tuesday in Washington Avenue Christian Church with Charlie Cox officiating. Private burial will be held. Arrangements are by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive.

Doc was born on Sept. 26, 1935, in Denton to J.B. and Ruby Bryant. He lived most of his life in Amarillo where he was a member of the 1954 graduating class of Amarillo High School. He joined the Navy reserves at age 16 and retired after 34 years of service. He served active duty in Vietnam, as well as Gulf Port, Miss. He married Yvonne Webb on Dec. 31, 1955, in Amarillo. Doc worked as an electrician all of his life. First with his dad, and later owning and operating Bryant Electric. Doc was a loving husband, dad and grandfather.

He was a 32nd degree Mason as well as longtime member of the Khiva Shrine, where served as potentate in 1989. He took his work and service to the shrine to heart and had a great passion for helping burned and cripple children get the very best care in the world. He also played an active part in the Khiva Mule Skinners. He was a longtime member of the Tri State Fair board of directors where he continued to play a vital part of putting the fair on every year. Doc was an original member of the Coors Cowboy Club and realized the importance of the club’s mission of “Promoting Amarillo the Cowboy Way.” In each of these organizations, Doc was not just a member, but was always one to roll his sleeves and do the hard work that was necessary. More than anything, Doc loved being Grandpa to his family. He was a charter member of Saint Paul United Methodist Church and was a member of San Jacinto United Church for many years. He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.

He is survived by his his wife, Yvonne of Amarillo; two daughters, DeeDee Hommel and husband Frank of Clarendon and Angela Bullard of Amarillo; two brothers, J.B. Bryant Jr. of Amarillo and Robert Bryant of New Mexico; three sisters, Nora Pennington of Burleson, “Tria” Godwin of Canadian and “Myrt” Wilder of Plainview; six grandchildren, Anastasia, Sebastian, April, Laura, Alice and Cori; and seven great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials to the Khiva Shrine Travel Fund, to provide transportation of children to hospitals for medial care 305 S.E. Fifth. Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101.