CMSgt. Robert G. Bryant passed away October 19, 2023 at Ascension St. Thomas Hospital in Murfreesboro,TN at the age of 90. He was born in Whitley County, KY and grew up in Harlan, KY. After graduation from Harlan High School, he entered the US Air Force during the Korean War and served for 26 years, retiring at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant with several awards, including the Air Force’s Meritorious Service Medal. While stationed in Arizona he received a B.S in Management from Arizona State University.
Bob served as an Air Force contracting officer at bases in the US and overseas, followed by five years as a recruiter supervisor in Nashville, TN providing supervision over all Air Force recruiters in the state of Tennessee.
After retiring from the Air Force, Bob worked for the Department of Energy in Oak Ridge, TN as a contract analyst then was one of the very first Nissan employees at the Smyrna, TN plant in the construction contracting department.
Bob was a Protestant, a Kentucky Colonel, and an avid Kentucky Wildcats basketball fan. Growing up, he played City League basketball, then with the Air Force, played on basketball teams at every base. He loved sports and enjoyed coaching and participating with his children (and then his grandchildren) in baseball, basketball, fishing, soap box derbies, and other varied activities. He also dearly loved family pets Daisy and Rosie.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Matt and Samantha Bryant, and sisters Wilma Bryant Baker and Wanda Gail Bryant. He is survived by Carol Dawn Bryant, his wife of 68 years, brother, Ronald Bryant (Jackie), his children Donna Bryant Brock and Mark Bryant (Julie), six grandchildren-Adam Brock (Lauren), Matthew Brock (Jill), Annie Bryant (fiancé Chad White), Katye Brock Bodak (Jason), Emma Bryant Bonham (Trey), and Wesley Bryant. Bob was also great-grandpa to six girls, Talia, JoJo, Caroline, Ruby, Anderson, and Maverick. He was looking forward to the arrival of a great grandson, Brock Michael, who is due in January 2024.
Visitation will be held on Monday, October 23, 2023, from 11:00am – 1:00pm at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with funeral services following at 1:00pm. Interment will follow at Cowan Montgomery Cemetery with family and friends serving as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Christ’s Hands Inc. (112 Railroad St., Harlan, KY 40831) or your favorite animal shelter.
Moore-Cortner Funeral Home 300 1st Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)967-2222
