James Bryan, Jr

Biography

Mr. James William Bryan, Jr., 70, of Enoch Road in the Hudson Mill Community of Ruffin, entered into his eternal rest Thursday morning, July 28, 2011, at his home. He was married for forty-four years to Mrs. Cathy Gillispie Bryan at the time of her death in March of 2009.

The relatives and friends of the Bryan family are invited to attend the funeral services celebrating his life at 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2011, from Bethel United Methodist Church, 16147 Lowcountry Highway, Ruffin, with The Reverend Wayne Major, The Reverend James Grubb, and The Reverend Roger Quessenbery officiating. Interment with Masonic Rites will follow in the churchyard. Serving as Casket Bearers will be, Richard Breland, Jerry Breland, Glenn Shearer, Keith Newton, Sr., Rodney Murdaugh, Kevin Litchfield, Shane Rushton, and Charlie Pierce.

Mr. Bryan was born July 2, 1941, in Ruffin, South Carolina and was the only child of the late James William Bryan, Sr. and the late Thelma Ulmer Bryan. A graduate from Bells High School with the Class of 1960, had received education from the University of South Carolina, and served his country in the United States Army. Westinghouse employed him in Hampton before beginning a life career at Coastal Electric Cooperative where he worked until his retirement. At Coastal, he worked for thirty-four years where he was described as a dedicated and exemplary employee, always performing a more than outstanding job in every aspect of his career. Starting as just a General Repair Clerk, August 1967; he continually grew with his involvement and education in his field of work having held position titles in various divisions of the company to include: Equipment Maintenance Supervisor, Energy Conservation Specialist, and then Office Manager, January 1984. The last assignment he was honored with by Coastal was Director of Outside Operations, March 1989, the position he maintained until retirement on December 21, 2001.

Those who knew James Bryan, knew he would not sit idle in his retirement. He almost immediately began two part-time jobs where he was not an employee, but considered as the "Grandfather" figure with two well-known operations in Colleton County. He started with The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Home, having been primarily a funeral assistant with their locations in Walterboro and Ehrhardt. It was through this employment, he was able to show the love he possessed for God and others through his own special character, coming when




needed, and always doing the best he could for those who placed their trust in the Herndon family. His family has a special bond with the Breland family, and he worked with that company, that while giving hard work and dedication, he showed "the other side" of James Bryan that everyone loved, felt closeness with, and counted on. James' work ethic was incomparable to most any other, he believed in hard work and giving to that trade the skill and dedication it demanded having gone beyond the call of duty most every day he worked.

He was a lifelong member of Bethel United Methodist Church, Ruffin Circuit, since he was a young child where he gave of himself as a true servant of God. At his church, he was a Sunday School teacher and had served as Sunday School Superintendent. While actively involved with the Methodist Men's Club, Praise Team, and Choir, he also had served on the Administrative Board and Board of Trustees and various other committees when his help was needed. He was also part of the Youth group, having served along with Cathy through a passion for the youth's development as they each grew in their own individual Christianity. Another large part of his life, and a dedication he placed high on his list, was the Salkehatchie Summer Service, a program that he loved, cherished, and realized the importance of supporting and dedicating his time. Many will always fondly remember his presence each year as well as with the leading of their closing ode each time of "O Happy Day".

A belief in joining others in the fight against cancer and providing cancer research allowed just another way he gave of himself to the community with the annual Colleton County Relay for Life while being the Walk's Logistic Coordinator during its inception and throughout its earlier years. He was very community minded, and through-out his life was constantly doing for others in civic capacities both actively involved but also in many instances thought silently giving and doing random acts to aid others or accomplish work necessary. He served organizations throughout the Lowcountry because of two traits people admired about him - an unselfish desire to help or simply because others called upon him. Such as serving on his sons High School alma matter, Colleton Preparatory Academy Board of Directors from 1995 to 1998, Colleton County Resource and Development Board from 1995 to 1997 to name a few. He was a member of the Walterboro Lions Club where he served as their chapter President in 1987, was a part of the Boy Scouts of America, and coached in various areas of the Colleton County Recreational Commission ball programs. With the founding of the Ruffin Rural Fire Department, he joined with others in 1974 from the community continuing as a Volunteer Fire Fighter in the county along with his sons, himself having over thirty in-service hours when he retired from active duty in 2009.

James made his reputation by who he was, and probably his name was known by almost everyone for either his work at Coastal Electric or with involvement in Free Masonry. James was recognized at a lifetime member a and on July 14, 2011 had achieved forty-two years of membership at Bells Masonic Lodge, No. 236 - Ancient Free Masonry where he was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason in 1969. Faithfully attending meetings with-in the third Masonic district of South Carolina where his attendance was a necessary aid and his knowledge of Masonic work a true value to those Lodges where several honored him a honorary membership. At Bells Lodge, he was vital in many aspects of the existence of the lodge providing the meals at last minute notice or repairs as needed around the structure. He served as Master of the Lodge for the years of 1976, 1979, 1982, 1994, and 1999, and will always be remembered for serving as Secretary of Bells Lodge, a chair he held from 1999 - 2008.

There are many memories of James Bryan that will forever remain in the hearts of the many who loved, valued, cherished, and admired his life. Many looked up to the devilish grin on his face with most any dry but always highly comical nature he had. His work in life will never be forgotten and the groundwork he has left behind will be a helpful guide and memory to his name. He completed what he started and in this life he left nothing unturned. Without any doubt he drifted off Wednesday evening during his relaxation, just hours after spending time providing comfort to a grieving family and a smile to many friends at the funeral home, he himself during the early Thursday morning hours heard our Lord say "Well done thy good and faithful servant".

Surviving are: his two sons, James William "Jamie" Bryan, III, and his wife Kymberly Murdaugh Bryan and Matthew Davis Bryan and his wife Ashley Gibbons Bryan all of Enoch Road; and four grandchildren who know him as "Papa", Wesley Patrick Bryan, Julie Lynn Bryan, Walker Jennings Bryan, and Graycen Taylor Bryan.

The Lord brought a special person in his life following Cathy's death allowing his a companionship to know which led to marriage on July 3, 2011 - Mrs. Sherrie Padgett Bryan; she is survived along with her parents, Dan and Vivian Padgett of Islandton. He is also survived by two brothers-in-law, Bruce Gillispie of Walterboro and Patrick D. Gillispie of Kentucky; and four sisters-in-law, Mary Sue Gillispie of North, Brenda Bryan of Ruffin, Cathy Padgett and Kelly Padgett of Islandton.

Flowers will be accepted, or for those who wish, the family has respectfully requested that memorial contributions be directed in his memory to the following: Epworth Children's Home, 2900 Millwood Avenue, Columbia, South Carolina, 29205, or to, Bethel United Methodist Church to be placed in the Salkehatchie Summer Service account, care of Mrs. Carolyn Breland, 573 Spencer Drive, Ruffin, South Carolina 29475.

For those that desire, memorial messages and thoughts of condolence as well as one of the many impressions James may have left on your heart may be shared with the Bryan family by visiting: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.

Family and friends are invited to call from 5 o'clock until 7 o'clock this Saturday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.