Donald E. Bryan (Seymour)'s Obituary
Donald Erwin Bryan, age 79 of Seymour, Missouri passed away Saturday, January 4, 2020 in his home.
Donald was born Monday, September 30, 1940 in Coweta, Oklahoma, one of nine children of Lester Bryan and Grace Pearl (Townsley) Bryan. He was raised in the Broken Arrow and Coweta areas, graduation from Broken Arrow High School with the class of 1958. He completed two years of college before joining the United States Air Force. After his service, he was united in marriage to Evelyn Marie Schauffler and to this union four sons were born. He went on to obtain a BA in Religion with a minor in History and a Masters of Education. He was ordained as a minister on December 5, 1970. They moved to Missouri in 1985 and enjoyed all the Ozarks had to offer.
Donald and Evelyn visited all 50 states and more than a dozen foreign countries. He was a big fan of the University of Oklahoma Sooners football team and his kids’ biggest fan of all their sporting events, serving as their coach numerous times. Don taught at Randall University (formerly known as Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College) in Moore, Oklahoma. He pastored church in Oklahoma, was the principal for a Christian School in California and served as an interim pastor while in Missouri. In the quiet times he loved reading Louis L’Amour books and John Wayne movies.
He was an avid theme park fan, visiting more of them than the family can name! Disney World was his ‘favorite place on earth’. He and Evelyn went many times, often on their anniversary. “It’s A Small World” was his very, very favorite ride. The family has trips planned in the future and know that he will be riding in the seat with them on that ride and every other!
Donald was preceded in death by his parents and 8 siblings, an infant brother, Jimmy Clay, Ruth Pagerio, Arleta Kelley, J.M. Clay, Josephine Robertson, Geraldine Bryan and Ruby Hudson.
Surviving Donald is his wife of 54 years (just 2 weeks shy of 55) Evelyn, of the home; four sons Jason & Brandi Bryan of Nixa, MO, Michael & Cindy Bryan of Ozark, MO, Rodney & Tyra Bryan of Jacksonville, FL and Kenneth & Katherine Bryan of Manhattan, KS; 5 grandchildren Caleb Bryan, Colby Bryan, Rachel Bryan, Gage Bryan and Makayla Bryan as well as two great grandchildren Troy Bryan and Alaina Bryan.
Arrangements are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Seymour.
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