Donald Joseph Bryant

Donald Joseph Bryant was born June 6th, 1923 in Pibroch, Alberta, Canada to Joseph and Harriet Bryant. He passed on Friday, September 18th, at his daughter's home in Bellevue, Washington, at the age of 97.

Donald was a loving, caring, strong, funny, humble, man of faith.

Donald was the 4th of 5 children, Josephine, Charles, Fredrick, Donald and Elizabeth (Betty). He is preceded in death by his father and mother and his four siblings. The family moved to the United States when he was a toddler. He was a child of the depression and the family moved often because of his father's job with the railroad, one year moving seven times. They finally settled in the rural farming town of Rufus, Oregon, near Biggs on the Columbia River. As a teenager, he worked on the local farms. He was a star basketball player in his high school years, the highest scorer on the team, double what any other player scored, leading them to the State Title.

He was a WWll veteran. In 1943, at the age of 19, he was drafted into the US Army as an infantryman. He was with K Company, 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Division (Blue Devils). He was a designated rifleman in Italy, involved in some of the toughest ground battles in Europe, and was one of only three men remaining from his entire original company to survive.

After returning home from the war he briefly attended Seattle University (then Seattle College) on the G.I. Bill. Don worked as a purchasing agent at Schwabacher Hardware in downtown Seattle. He married Bonnie Baisch and they raised five children. His marriage to Bonnie ended in divorce in 1973.

Shortly after, he met Eva Young. They enjoyed dancing and taking trips to Reno. Eva began to have health issues about 10 years after they were together, suffering multiple strokes. He became her sole caretaker, providing total care for over 20 years until her passing in 2007.

In his younger days, Don loved the outdoors, camping, swimming, golfing and working in the yard. He knew the importance of staying physically and mentally active, and encouraged others around him to do so also, even at the age of 97. Throughout his life he loved history, keeping up on world news and the stock market, playing games or cards, dancing, listening to music, and watching an old movie every night from his extensive collection.

He loved his children and grandchildren dearly and was always interested in what they were doing, the things they were involved in and sharing stories of his past and experiences with them. There was one person he had a special bond with, and that was his beloved little sister Betty. He watched over her and cared for her as a loving, protective big brother from childhood until she passed in August. You could see the love they had for each other every time they were together. They LOVED to tease each other and tell stories of their childhood.

Donald is survived by his children, David (Maria), Peter (Eugene), Debra (Steve), and Paul (Kathryn), and his seven grandchildren.

He was a believer that Jesus Christ was his Lord and Savior. We are saddened by his loss, but very grateful that he has made his final journey home to join the Lord and his family in God's glorious Kingdom and he is now resting in peace.

Private Graveside Service, Evergreen Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-Washelli.com for the Bryant family.