Albert Bryant Sr.'s Obituary
Tulsa — Albert Ray Bryant, Sr, 80, went back to the Lord on Sunday, October 6, 2019. He exhaled his last breath with his family, encircling him – praying, saluting him for the husband, father, grandfather, and provider he was to us.Born in 1939 in Gladewater, Texas, to Samuel and Emma Lee Guice Bryant, Al earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Texas College in 1962. When he walked across the stage at the now historically black college, Al stood six-one and scaled 185. He was a basketball and football star at Mineola’s McFarland high, but at Texas college, he focused on his studies. Immediately after college Al, with his sister Arwilda, made headlines as the first brother and sister team to serve in the Peace Corps.After completing Peace Corps training at Georgetown University, Al began his three-year volunteer teaching assignment in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It was in Addis Ababa that Al met Hoyt Smith from Tulsa, and the two would become life-long friends. Following their first two years of volunteering in Ethiopia, Al and Hoyt trekked through East Africa before returning for their third year of teaching in Ethiopia. They crossed the Dawa River, stood on the equator in Kenya, triumphed beaches in Mombasa, eyed Mount Kilimanjaro, slept in Serengeti National Park, toured Zanzibar, and Uganda. They’d later journey through Europe and parts of West Africa together.Returning to the United States after three years in the Peace Corps, and settling in Tulsa, Al met his wife, Ira Chappelle and they were married in 1968. Capturing his childhood dream of flying a plane, Al earned a Private Pilot license. In 1967, he purchased an Aeronca Chief aircraft, and he frequently took his new wife for flights around his hometown of Mineola. Al spent the next 38 years teaching mathematics at Carver Junior High, Bell Junior High, and Wilson Middle School while holding down a second job at Wonder Bread.A founding member of the Chamberlain Neighborhood Association, Al worked to improve the North Tulsa community. Complementarily, he was active in politics, chairing precinct meetings, and working as a delegate to the Democratic Convention. For more than 40 years, Al was an active member of the Living Hope Church of the Nazarene.Al is survived by wife, Ira, three children: Myra Bryant Golden (Leon), Broken Arrow, OK, Albert Bryant, Jr. (Jada), Oklahoma City, OK, Terasita Lynn Bryant, Tulsa, OK. He leaves behind four grandchildren: Alexondria Bryant, Lauren Golden, Anthony Bryant, and Warren Golden. He also leaves behind five siblings: Arwilda Haynes, Shirley Roberson (Uris), Samuel Bryant, Dr. Sullivan Bryant (Joanette), and Sylvia Bryant. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Emma Lee Guice Bryant, an infant brother, Roland R. Bryant, and aunt, Johnnie Mae Riley.Visitation will be held Thursday 2 -7PM with family to greet 5-7PM. Funeral Services will be held 3PM Friday in the Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel.
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