John P.Bryant was born on December 28, 1932 to family with a long history in agriculture. After graduating from Foley High School in 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for two years during the Korean Conflict. Based in Hawaii, he served as a radio operator aboard
naval aircraft to include the handful of Martin Mars flying boats then in operation. He began his studies in Agronomy and Soils at Auburn in 1952, completing his Ph.D. at N.C. State in 1964. It was in 1955, while working for the Soil Conservation Service in Moulton, that he met Martha Sue Montgomery of the Aldridge Grove community. They wed at the Aldridge Grove Church of Christ on April 13, 1957. Dr.Bryant, age 82 when he passed away on September 6, 2015, held many prominent positions during his long career and remained employed until very recently. Working as a senior agronomist in fertilizer sales, agricultural management and later agricultural consulting, his career moved him and his family to many locations throughout the country. He resided in Jonesville, Louisiana at the time of his passing. But regardless of where
he was actually employed, his heart was always close to the many friends and family that he knew in Lawrence County, an area where he felt privileged to farm, in tandem with his in-laws, among the red
soils, limestone outcroppings and woodlands of the Tennessee Valley. Dr.Bryant was an exemplary Christian
friend, husband, father and grandfather who always possessed a smiling, humble heart and a generous spirit.
His guiding leadership and counsel will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife, Martha; two sons, Tim and David, Tim’s wife Kelly, and three granddaughters, Mazie, Camilla and Selma.
Visitation will be Friday Sept 11, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Elliott’s Brown-Service Funeral Home and service Saturday September 12, 2015 at Aldridge Grove Church of Christ at 10 a.m. with O.D. Bowling officiating and burial in Moulton Memory Gardens.
