Bryan Matthew Storandt

April 19th, 2000 - May 1, 2017

Bryan Matthew Storandt walked into his Heavenly Father’s house on May 1st, 2017. He was just 17 years old. Bryan was brought into our world on April 19th, 2000, at Baptist Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida to Matthew and Jamie Storandt. As a faithful member of Calvary Chapel Church, Bryan was actively involved in the youth group, men’s prayer group and various church activities. Bryan’s two favorite bible verses were Psalms 33:3 and Psalms 100:5

Bryan had attended Providence School and was finishing his junior year at Beaches Chapel in Neptune Beach, Florida. Some of his activities included music club, science club and serving Christ during Chapel and on Sunday mornings as part of the audio/video ministry team.

Bryan was the sweetest, most kind-hearted soul that you could ever meet. He was always willing to participate in any activity and was a “shining star” on any playing field. Bryan participated in many recreation activities and school including soccer, tee ball, baseball, flag and tackle football, lacrosse, wrestling, marching band, hiking, and the list goes on and on. Bryan (and his Jeep) even won a “Best in Class” trophy at the 1st annual Buds Creek 4x4 Show and Shine Expo, in Mechanicsville, MD. Bryan never asked for much but seemed to always acquire the latest technology and gadgets to feed his need to “game” and stay connected to his closest and most inspiring friends.

Everyone knows Bryan had a very big heart. It’s hard to believe that such a meek personality could have such a big head. Literally, Bryan had a very large head. From the start your mother had a difficult time finding shirts with openings big enough to fit over your head. Even the baby outfits with the snaps running down the shoulders were too small to fit over your noggin.

From a very early age Bryan could be found perched on top of Matt's shoulders. Bryan would position himself in front of Matt facing away from him and say the code word "shoulders." Matt would grab Bryan up, and over he would go. Even when Bryan was too big to be carried on Matt's shoulders he would try to trick Matt from time to time by stepping in front of Matt and saying "shoulders." Bryan's first great debate was also as a young child. Because Bryan had such a sharp mind and great memory he spent many years trying to convince Hannah that he was blind (and deaf) until the age of 2 or 3. Bryan's argument and counter argument was that he couldn't remember seeing or hearing anything until then, hence he must have been deaf and blind. Bryan, you were always up for any challenge with Hannah. For many years Hannah was bigger, faster, and stronger than you and she always let you know it. Hannah would always tell you that you will never be taller than her. Well, you accepted the challenge and grew taller than your big sister and even taller than your dad just a few days before your 17th birthday.

Bryan: (3rd grade on the way to school the morning after watching an episode of the show "Numbers" about cloning) Can I see a picture of my dad when he was my age?

Jamie: Why Bryan?

Bryan: Because I want to see if I am a clone.

It was an awesome time to share with such a young inquisitive mind the truth is that God is in charge and shows His awesome power to create so much from nothing with the ease on a level that even a child could understand.

Bryan’s Aunt Moriah loves to talk about when Bryan was around 2 and they would play and she would sing “I got you babe” to him and he would sing back “I got you Riah” and how they would laugh and laugh. Bryan is known as being an awesome “big cousin” to Alysha. Alysha remembers a trip to the zoo with Bryan when he helped his little cousins get up on the elephant statue tusks for a great picture. Bryan would sit on “Riah’s” shoulders in the Butterfly exhibit at the zoo. He would hold on with a fist full of Moriah’s hair in one hand and try to catch the butterflies with the other. Recently, Janis remembers when Uncle Matt let her drive his jeep on the beach and Bryan went with her. Janis said they laughed and had such a great time.

Early this spring Jamie decided to grow a green thumb. So, for her first mission she decided to rake all of the leaves in the yard. Obviously, that meant that Bryan would be tasked with “helping” his mother. As they were tirelessly raking and bagging the leaves together, Jamie actually missed a text from the neighbor stating he would gladly mulch the leaf piles with his mower. Bryan came up with, in his opinion, another fail safe plan. Bryan asked Jamie, “Why don’t we just rake the leaves into the lake.”

Bryan, no one ever knew when you were sick or hurting. From ear infections, allergies, sinus infections, to excruciating unknown abdominal pains, you Soldiered on. Never asking for sympathy or special treatment. Just like your mother Jamie, you in turn nurtured and cared for those around you and carried the torch admirably. Your calm peaceful demeanor was so infectious.

Bryan lived outwardly “the peace that passes all understanding” and for this world his memory (blessing) will never fade away.

Bryan is survived by his parents Matthew and Jamie Storandt, his sister Hannah (AKA Pookie) and her husband Kenny Meyer of Jacksonville, FL. Also surviving are grandparents Johnnie and Linda Bryan, Darlena Thompson, and Arlan and Nelda Storandt and his great grandmothers Helen A. McKee of Jacksonville, FL and Beatrice Thompson of Monkton, MD. His surviving aunts and uncles are Crystal and Kirby Varnadore of West Palm Beach, FL, Moriah and Dallas Cole of Saint Clair, MO, Monica Bryan of Panama City Beach, FL, and April and Charles Graley of Julian, WV. Bryan leaves behind cousins Kristen, Lauren, Halle, Janis, Chloe, Emma, Alysha, Sarah, Amelia, and Canaan. He is also survived by countless great aunts and uncles, extended family members and many loving and close friends.

A celebration of the life of Bryan Storandt will begin on Friday, May 5th, 2017 with a public viewing from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Calvary Chapel Church of Jacksonville, FL. His journey continues with at memorial service at Beaches Chapel in Neptune Beach, FL, with Pastor’s Howard McMinn and John Wyatt officiating at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 6th, 2017. Brunch with Bryan’s favorite breakfast foods will follow in the Beaches Chapel Reception hall. It is our honor to conclude this journey with Bryan at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. Interment will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 8th, 2017.