Marvin R. Bryant

Marvin R. Bryant, Sr., 98, of Beaumont, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, April 22, 2018. He was a longtime resident of the Beaumont area. He was born December 15, 1919, in Spurger, Texas, to Myrtle Moss Bryant and Raleigh Alton Bryant.

After graduating from Silsbee High School, Marvin studied business administration at Chenier Business College. He went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company until 1942, when he was inducted into the Army Air Corp. Marvin was one of the everdiminishing number of heroes of the Greatest Generation to serve in WWII. He was a Flight Officer, flying gliders and C47 transport planes. He was stationed in Europe and while in the military, received a Distinguished Unit Badge; EAME Campaign Medal; two Bronze Stars; American Theater Campaign Medal; Army of Occupation Medal and Victory Medal. Following his military service, he returned to Beaumont and his job at Southwestern Bell. He worked as a senior repair technician until he retired in the early 1980s.

Marvin met Jean, the love of his life, in 1968. They were married in 1970 and moved to Canterbury Lane. Marvin was completely devoted to Jean and their family. He doted on Jean constantly. He was happy to go along with her telling him what he wanted – and for those who knew them well, she did that a lot. Marvin would just smile and nod his head along with her, and then go about doing his own thing. They had a wonderful and loving relationship and were at peace just being together. He was a gentle giant whose bark was much worse than his bite. Truth is, he had no bite, but liked to pretend that he did. To his kids, he was larger than life. He was always quietly in the background making sure everyone had what they needed.

Marvin loved life and lived it to the fullest. He had a devilish sense of humor. Up to the end, he would giggle and laugh like a little kid, never losing the twinkle in his eyes. Marvin and Jean loved being in their home and hosting friends and family on the patio. On most weekends you could find them in the back yard with friends, cocktails and steaks on the grill. Luckily everyone had so much fun laughing and cutting up that no one minded that when they finally got around to eating (which was usually hours after the intended time), the steaks were more than done, and maybe even a little crusty.

Marvin loved all things airplanes. Anytime a plane flew over, his eyes went to the sky. According to Jean, he was like a child in a toy store when they went to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. Ironically, even though he was a pilot, he was terrified of heights. In his younger days, he was a bowler in the Beaumont leagues. It was nothing unusual for him to throw a 300 game. He was also an avid golfer and after he retired from Southwestern Bell, you could find him out at Bayou Din most days with his buddies. Even if it was raining and they could not play golf, you could find them in the club house laughing, joking and enjoying retirement. In 1991 he made his first, and only, hole in one. When he proudly came home with his plaque, Jean let him hang it in his bathroom. It is still there today. He absolutely loved spending his days on the golf course and in the club house with his friends. Even after he was no longer able to play golf, his TV always seemed to find its way to the Golf Channel.

Marvin was a simple, yet complex man. He loved with all his heart and soul. He was always the first one to reach out and help when someone was in need. He did it without question and without expectation. With Marvin, what you saw was what you got and that is how he lived his life. Jean and their children were everything to him. In every conversation he would find a way to tell you about his children and what they were doing. He was extremely proud of them. While most perceived Jean to be the more outgoing and social one, Marvin absolutely loved being around people and always enjoyed traveling and being with their friends. He had a keen insight into people and was rarely wrong about them. He was kind and gentle and had a hard time saying no to anyone. That is just who he was. Even in the last several years when we all gathered at his house for holidays, although he would grumble about the noise and continuous clatter, he was perfectly content with his family around him.

Marvin and Jean were married 42 years. His life was never the same after Jean passed away. His heart was missing a beat and there was a sadness in him that never went away. If you ask his family, April 22 was the happiest day he has had since January 2012, because he went to be with Jean again. He is exactly where he wants to be.

Our family would like to thank everyone who has done so much for Marvin and us over the years. Especially our extended family – Coni, Patrick, Michele, Mitch and Christine – for always being there and loving and caring for Marvin. We would have been lost without them. A very heartfelt thanks to Compassion Hospice and their staff as well as to Cindy Stark, Sheila Citizen, Audrey Mayon, Janet Davis and Mary Margaret Mouton. They took care of Marvin, especially in the last several months when he needed someone around the clock. The love, caring, compassion and tenderness they showed Marvin will never be forgotten and we will be eternally grateful for the blessing of having them in our lives.

Marvin was preceded in death by his wife, Jean McKinney Bryant, his parents and his sister Margie Bryant. He is survived by daughters, Bonne Cone and her husband, Ron, of Mont Belvieu; and Christy Amuny, of Beaumont; sons, Ronald Amuny, Jr., of Beaumont; Clay Amuny, of Llano; and Marvin R. Bryant, Jr., and his wife, Gayle, of Newton; grandchildren, Lynnsey Locklear and her husband, Tim; Todd Siau; and Kelley Loper; great-grandchildren, Blayke Siau, Garrett Siau, T.J. Locklear and McKinsey Locklear.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Gift of Life, 2390 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706 or the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, 2050 Spindletop Road, Beaumont, Texas 77705.

There will be a visitation from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at Broussard’s Chapel, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A funeral service for Mr. Bryant will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 26, 2018, also at Broussard’s Chapel. Cremation under the direction of Broussard’s Crematorium.