James Patterson Bryant

Jim was born on July 30, 1934, the second son, in Memphis, Tennessee, to John Austin and Gladys Patterson Bryant. All are deceased. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Penny Heap Bryant, his nieces, Stacey Bryant and Nikki McGowan, of Houston, and his nephew, John “Brownie” Bryant, his wife, Nancy, from Frisco, TX, and five grand nieces and nephews.

Jim was raised in Granada, Mississippi, by his mother and aunt, after his dad passed away at a young age. He graduated from Granada High School, received his BS degree in Institutional Management from Mississippi State University, and served in the US Army for two years. Then he moved to New Orleans and Houma, Louisiana, to work in management for JC Penney and a family-run clothing store before moving to Bellaire, Texas, in 1969, to open his own store, “Mr. B”. He had three stores in 20+ years, before throwing an 18 month “Going-Out of Business” Sale and hopefully devoting the rest of his life to playing tennis. Instead, he was enticed into selling real estate and was a member of the original group of the Metropolitan office of Keller Williams.

Jim was active in Bellaire, serving on city committees and on the Planning and Zoning Commission. He was active in both Bellaire Chamber of Commerce and in Bellaire/Southwest Rotary, where he was its President and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow on two occasions. In 1983, “Mr. B” was “Mr. Bellaire”.

While he had been content to sell real estate, play tennis and take an occasional fishing trip, his life changed when he married Penny in 1997, and the grass would no longer grow under his feet. They were blessed to travel the country and the world and own a “ranchette” in Independence, Texas, where they became active in Brenham, and where he loved to ride his golf cart and “tend to the land”!

Often described as a “Southern Gentleman”, Jim knew no strangers. To say he will be greatly missed is an understatement.

Praises and love for the care givers in Memory Care at the Buckingham, Star of Texas Hospice, and forever friend, Mary Meehan.

Jim’s life will be celebrated on Friday, March 27, at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Houston Area Parkinson Society, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, or the charity of your choice.