John W. "Jack" Bryant

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 23, 2014, at the Chapel of Lakeview Funeral Home with Bro. Galen Herrington officiating. Visitation will be held from 1 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at the funeral home.

Mr. Bryant was born Feb. 11, 1921, in Paris, Texas to William H. Bryant and Mary E. (Walker) Bryant. He was the second-born of nine children. He attended Longview schools and joined the Marines in August 1942. He was declared a Rifle Marksman and Bayonet Expert and served in New Zealand and Guadalcanal. He served with the 671st Platoon during World War II and was ranked Private First Class at the time of his honorable discharge.

Mr. Bryant married JoAnn Elizabeth Welch in March of 1942 and to this union four children were born. Mrs. Bryant preceded her husband in death on August 24, 2002.

Mr. Bryant was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church. He was a painter by profession, working for the Longview Independent School District for 45 years before retiring in December 2013. He was a member of Painter Local #53 and was one of the first members of Teachers Credit Union, now called East Texas Professional Credit Union.

Mr. Bryant was a bowling enthusiast for 30 years and loved horse racing. He greatly enjoyed spending time with his family and his church family.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Norman Bryant, James Bryant, Frankie Bryant; and sisters, Lucille McWhorter, Louise Ashcraft and Dinah Scroggins.

He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann of Longview; two sons, Bill Bryant and wife Barbara of Charlotte, N.C. and John Michael Bryant and wife Bettie of Longview; two daughters, Barbara Jo Broyles of Corpus Christi and Janice Johnson and husband Michael of Longview; eight grandsons, Billy Bryant of North Carolina, John Bryant and wife Laurie of Colorado, Michael Bradley and wife Jennie of Mesquite, Eric Stephens of Longview, Charles Warren and wife Marsha of Longview, Danny Warren and wife Cindy of Longview, Donnie Warren and wife Amanda of Longview and Jesse Burnett of Longview; four granddaughters, Jen Bryant of North Carolina, Cynthia Smith of Texas, Crystal Jackson of Corpus Christi and Kelly Bischoff and husband Andy of Tatum; 22 great-grandchildren, including Tommy Bradley, James Bradley, Gracie Bradley, Lacey McDavitt, Adian Warren, Luke Warren, Mason Warren, Garrett Warren, Jud Warren, Maddison Warren, Katie Bischoff, Hailey Bischoff, Olivia Propes and Landon Homer; two great-great grandchildren; brother: Bill Bryant of Tyler; sister: Susie Stone of Longview; special friends Bennie Nelms and Hazel Fyffe; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers are Kris Propes, Harold Wright, Bill Matthews, Kenneth Jackson, Slade Homer and Garrett Ryan. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Williams and Earl Hancock.

The family wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Hospice Care Team of Longview. Flowers are permitted or memorials may be made to Hospice Care Team, 4362 US Hwy 259 North, Longview, TX 75605 or to Fellowship Baptist Church, 1818 Springhill Road, Longview, TX 75605.