Leo Bryant

Born January 31, 1920, in Port Arthur, Texas. Parents were Leo D. Bryant, Sr. and Laurance Rousseau Bryant. Graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1939, as senior class president and Monticello Guardian. Received BA degree with honors from the University of Texas and a law degree from the University of Texas Law School. Served as a cryptographer in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Europe during World War II. Opened the first law office in the City of Groves in 1953 and later became Groves' second City Manager.

Became the General Manager of Jefferson County Drainage District No. 7 and during his administration the district jointly sponsored with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the Hurricane Flood Protection Project which protects south and mid Jefferson County from hurricane tides. During his administration the District also expanded from one drainage pump station to seventeen, installed a data control center to monitor the stations, concrete lined over fifty miles of drainage ditches, and dredged all the main outfall canals. Three bond issues were approved by the voters. He was also able to help obtain workmen's compensation and a retirement system for district employees.

Upon retirement from the district in 1983, after 25 years, the city councils of Groves, Nederland and Port Neches each adopted proclamations praising his work in improving area drainage and flood protection. After retirement he went back into the part-time practice of law which he continued until he was 85 years of age.

Among his various civic activities, he helped establish the Groves Senior Citizen Foundation and served on its Board for many years, served on two charter change commissions for the city of Groves, and served as chairman of the Port Arthur Community Home.

He married Patricia Ann (Pat) Nagle of Fort Worth in 1950, and they had four children: Leo D. (Don) Bryant III and wife Jill, of Lyons, Colorado; Robert E. (Bob)Bryant and wife Lynn, of Tyler, Texas; Joan E. (Joanie) Caskey, and husband (Sam) of Missouri City, Texas; and Janet Cole of Austin, Texas. They had fourteen grandchildren.

He was a member of the United Methodist Temple in Port Arthur, where he served in various official capacities. He was a former teacher and song leader of the Cullen Hamilton Bible Class and a member of the Wesley Bible Class.

He was a member of the Groves Rotary Club for 47 years where he formerly served as president and secretary-treasurer, as well as in other capacities. He was awarded the Roll of Fame Award by Rotary District 591 and was a Paul Harris Fellow.

Upon retirement he and Pat traveled extensively. He had several hobbies, including gardening, raising orchids and stamp collecting.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at the United Methodist Temple in Port Arthur, Texas with Dr. Jesse Brannen officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves under the direction of Levingston Funeral Home in Groves.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday evening from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, children and grandchildren.