Cecil Paul Bryant, Sr. was born on February 13, 1921 to William F. Bryant, Sr. and Lelia Self Bryant, of Hicks, La.
Funeral services will be 2pm, Wednesday, February 6, 2013, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Officiating will be Reverend Keith Royal of Winfree Baptist Church in Orange. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City.
Visitation will be from 5pm to 9pm, Tuesday at the funeral home.
Cecil is preceded in death by his parents and by brothers, Lester Bryant, Hicks, La., Willie Bryant, New Llano, La., Jehu Bryant, Los Alamos, New Mexico, Millard Bryant, New Jersey and Casey Bryant, Bridge City, Texas. Sisters... Beulah Bryant Johnson, DeRidder, La. Audrey Bryant James, Slagle, La., Johnnie Mae Bryant Holliman, Nederland, Texas , Katheen Bryant French, Nederland, Texas, Charlene Bryant Cotton, Winnfield, La. and Olene Bryant Sigler, New Llano, La. Also, a grand-daughter, Melissa Ann Mesch of Bridge City, Texas.
He was a World War II veteran serving in the Air Force in India, Burma and China. Cecil drove a big army truck on the Burma Road. Later he was a member of a crew that flew a Cargo Plane and helped to kick out supplies to the American soldiers behind enemy lines. He ended his four year and eight month WWII tour as a cook and mess Sgt. He continued to serve his country by staying in the National Guard and Army Reserve for twenty years.
Cecil graduated from Slagle, La. High school. He began his college education at Lamar College and completed his college education with a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Houston. His teaching specialties included math and history as well as coaching girls' basketball. He taught and coached at schools in the area and retired from Port Arthur I.S.D. in 1986.
Besides teaching Cecil bought real estate and built many rent houses in Bridge City.
Cecil loved his two children and adored his grandchildren. He was known as "Pops", and played a major role in raising them and he was very generous.
He enjoyed playing Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys music. His favorite song was San Antonio Rose.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years: Ann Louise Kitchen Bryant, Bridge City, Texas. His son, Cecil Paul Bryant, Jr. and wife, Van Trahan Bryant; his daughter: Lisa Ann Bryant Mesch all of Bridge City, Texas. Also by grandson: Raun Paul Bryant and wife, Kristal Soileau Bryant of Bridge City, grandson: Josh Paul Landry and wife, Richelle Myers Landry of Bridge City, grandson: Marc Russell Mesch and wife, Laynie Jackson Mesch of San Angelo, Texas; great grandsons, Aden Paul Bryant, Mason Paul Bryant and great grand-daughter, Libby Lou Bryant of Bridge City, Texas.
He is survived by a brother, Allen H Bryant and wife, Agnes of Nederland, Texas; a sister, Ruth Bryant Cotton of Lufkin, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the dedicated care givers, Angelia Eia, Mildred Sheffield, Cindy Dotson, Dr. Michael G. Keller, and Raun Bryant.
Pallbearers... Raun Bryant, Josh Landry, Billy Bryant, Kim Bryant, Matt Bryant and Marc Mesch.
Honorary Pallbearers... Aden Paul Bryant, Mason Paul Bryant, Andrew Mambretti, George Eia, and Dylan Kitchen Nikolotopoulos.