Laurence E. "Larry" Bryant, 86, died June 6 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born Sept. 29, 1924 at Wellsford the son of Ricord "T. R." and Pearl (Lee) Bryant and the brother of Bill Bryant and Kay Mauch, all of whom preceded him in death.
Larry was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U. S. Navy as a Signalman, Second Class. He received several decorations and citations including the Victory Medal, American Campaign Ribbon, and the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon. After discharge from the Navy, Larry attended Washburn College in Topeka and Eckles College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia, Pa. He had been associated with the funeral business since 1947.
In 2009, he received special recognition from the Kansas Funeral Directors Association for his years of service. Larry had been active in the Great Bend community over the years, receiving the Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Man of the Year in 1953. He served for eight years as an American Legion service officer where he helped countless World War II veterans with claims and insurance through the Veterans Administration. He also spent two terms as Kansas State Child Welfare chairman for the American Legion.
Mr. Bryant was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Great Bend.
Survivors include wife Aileen Bryant, of the home; one son, Craig Bryant and wife Nancy of Osceola, Mo; one Daughter: Lexie Frankovich and husband Mike of Houston, Texas; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
The funeral is at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church. The officiant: The Rev. Tom Sheldon. Interment will be at Great Bend Cemetery with graveside rites by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Visitation is from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church or Golden Belt Community Foundation in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 5, 2011
