August 14 1933 April 17 2020
Donald’s Obituary On Friday April 17th, 2020, Donald Ray Bryant, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away at the age of 86. Donald was born on August 14th, 1933 in White Hall, IL to Ernest and Lena Bryant. As a boy he grew up on a farm in Jersey County, where he learned the value of hard work. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the Navy for Aircraft structures and flight engineering. During his military career he was stationed all over the country including, the U.S. Naval Air Station Point Mugu in Ventura County, California; Training squadron 31 Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas; Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Yokosuka, Japan and the Memphis Naval Air Station in Millington, Tennessee. During both the Korean and Vietnam wars, he protected our country via aircraft carriers. He served honorably in the Navy for 20 years and then an additional 10 years in the Reserves. Achieving the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer, the highest rank a non-commissioned officer can reach. During that time he received top marks on every performance review and for his service, he earned multiple medals; National Defense Service Medal, Multiple Good Conduct Medals, China Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Multiple National Defense Service Medals, Vietnam Champion Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and a Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon to name a few. Donald retired with an impressive military career on March 1, 1982. During retirement he enjoyed keeping up with the news, politics and watching the Cardinals and Rams play. As devoted as he was to his country, he was even more devoted to his family. He would spoil his grandchildren any chance he got with candy from his candy drawer, home cooked meals and love, lots of love. He is lovingly remembered by his son Lamar Randall Bryant, his daughter Julie Marie Harrell, his daughter Jamison Ann Guithues, his grandson Jermey Franko, his grandson William Franko, his granddaughter KeriAnn Rene Bryant, his granddaughter Kayla Racine Brown, his granddaughter Kristen Rose Bryant, his grandson Braden Foster Guithues, his great-grandson Vincent Franko, his great-grandson Donovan Franko and his great-granddaughter Victoria Franko. Being the ladies man that he was, he was preceded in death by his first two wives and survived by his third. Previously departed loved ones include his father Ernest Ray Bryant, his mother Lena Margaret Grisham (Bryant), his sister Margaret Racine Isringhausen, his sister Rhea Maxine Irvin and his daughter Coreen Nora Bryant. Services and burial at Jefferson Barracks are private due to the current COVID-19 crowd restrictions. Arrangements with online information and guestbook through Wojstrom Funeral Home & Crematory may be found at www.wojstrom.com. Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Donald Ray Bryant August 14 1933 April 17 2020.
Wojstrom Funeral Home & Crmtry
Death notice for the town of: Granite City, state: Illinois