Jackie "Jack" Keith Bryan

Jack was born to Walter Eugene Bryan and Rosebud Teague and grew up on Bryan Street in Copan, Oklahoma. He attended Copan High School and later earned an Associate of Arts degree from Reedley College.

At 17, Jack followed in his older brother Alan’s footsteps by joining the U.S. Navy, where he served as an Interior Communications Electrician. His Navy career took him to Alaska, Hawaii, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and San Diego. He loved to share the story of his being stationed in Hawaii when it transitioned from a U.S. territory to the 50th state in the Union. Jack was proud of his service and celebrated the next generation of Bryans who continued the family’s legacy in the Navy.

While stationed in San Diego, Jack met his wife, Mary. The couple married and raised their family in Reedley, California. Jack worked as a machinist for Salwasser Manufacturing and later began farming tree fruit.

In 1973, Jack achieved his dream of becoming a California Highway Patrolman. After graduating from the Academy, Jack was assigned to the Glendale Area before transferring to Coalinga and then Fresno. His favorite post was the Kings River Resident Post, where he proudly served 28 years until his retirement on March 31, 2001. Jack’s pride in the Highway Patrol only grew as his sons Curtis and Steven followed him into the CHP.

Retirement brought Jack new joys, including a part-time job at a Central Valley Blossom Trail fruit stand. There he delighted in meeting travelers from around the world and reconnecting with locals. When visiting friends and family, his calling card was 50lb. boxes of his prime fruit which he affectionately called “The Good Stuff”.

An adventurous soul, Jack loved traveling the U.S. in his airplane, with flights to Copan, Oklahoma, holding a special place in his heart. He also relished family road trips, especially those filled with music from the 1950s, creating lasting memories with his family. He especially enjoyed his cross-country road trip where he brought his granddaughter, Dominique, back home to California after college in New York. Jack traveled to China, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, England, France, Ireland, and Hawaii, with his son Curtis and his family, and enjoyed cruises filled with his family and CHP friends.

Jack’s greatest joy came from watching his grandchildren’s sporting events, flying his airplane, working on his farm, reading biographies and history books, and every night, challenging himself with episodes of Jeopardy!

Jack is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters Lana Tanner and Jackie; sons Curtis Bryan (Brenda) and Steven Bryan; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate Jack’s life and legacy will be Thursday, December 12th at 12:00 noon at Dopkins Reedley Funeral Chapel, 2200 S. Reed Avenue, Reedley, CA 93654 with a graveside service to immediately follow at Reedley cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the CAHP Widows and Orphans’ Trust Fund. https://Widows and Orphans' Trust Fund - California Association of Highway Patrolmen.

Jack will be remembered for his love of family, service to others, and zest for life.