Richland, Oregon
George Bryan, 74, a longtime Richland resident, died June 19, 2003, at the Boise Veterans Hospital.
His funeral and a celebration of his life will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Pine Baptist Church in Halfway. There will be a military graveside service afterward at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Friends are invited to join the family for a dinner after the interment at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall.
George Duane Bryan was born on Nov. 6, 1929, at Baker City to Emery and Alice Aklin Bryan. He was raised and educated at Copperfield and at Baker City. He was a 1947 Baker High School graduate.
After high school, George enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served from 1950 to 1951 in the Korean conflict. He was injured by a grenade while fighting from a foxhole, an injury which hospitalized him for more than six months. George was awarded the Purple Heart for the injuries he received in combat.
After recovering from his injuries, he worked as a meat cutter at Sigmund’s Market in Pendleton where he met Marjorie Kaesemeyer. Marjorie was working as a waitress at the soda fountain connected to the market. They married on Nov. 11, 1953, and had been a wonderful example of love, affection, and commitment to family for nearly 50 years.
George spent most of his working life owning and operating small businesses in Pine Valley. At various times George owned Jimtown Meat Market, Bryan’s Market (with his brother Jerry Bryan), and Old Pine Enterprises. He also sold real estate for five years. He enjoyed gunsmithing and ranching when he was not running his businesses.
George had a passion for hunting and fishing, and was a great outdoorsman. He loved his family and spent as much time as possible with them. He enjoyed working on projects at home and then taking time out to play with his horses. He was a lifetime member of Post 7847 and at one time served as post commander.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Bryan of Richland; son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Lauri Bryan of Halfway; daughter and son-in-law, Nikki and Richard Jeffery of Oakhurst, Calif., and son and daughter-in-law, Monte and Christy Bryan of Roseburg; grandchildren, Andrea, Christy, Stephanie, Noelle, Caleb, Elizabeth, Trevor, Cole and Hannah; his brother, Jerry Bryan, and his wife, Roberta of Halfway; and nieces, Majella Schaeffer of Boise and Lori Sapp of Weiser, Idaho.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Boise Veterans Hospital through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 27, 2003
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor