Jerry Thomas Bryan

Jerry Thomas Bryan passed away at his home in Lakeview, Arkansas on April 30, 2023 at the age of 84 years. Jerry was born in Shawmut, Alabama to the late Agnes Arlene McGill and John Thomas Bryan. He was raised by his Mom and Step-Dad, L.F. Welch (Smiley), with whom he was very close. Shawmut was a small, close-knit community, where most of the people in town, including his parents, worked in the textile mill. Jerry grew up among his many cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. He was involved in Boy Scouts as a youth and earned his Eagle Award.
At age 18 Jerry served in the U.S. Navy, where he was trained and worked as a welder. He was part of a crew on the USS Midway that did supply runs from San Diego to the Hawaiian Islands in the late 1950’s. Soon after leaving the Navy, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he lived for 38 years. While living in Las Vegas, Jerry worked as a Manager at Lady Luck Casino for many years. He then started his own company, Jerry B’s Tub and Shower and tub repair, before retiring and moving to Lakeview, Arkansas in 2003.
Jerry enjoyed riding horses, hunting with his friends, fishing, boating, gardening, listening to old-time country music, and hosting Superbowl parties for over twenty years. He was an excellent cook and was known for his award-winning homemade chili at numerous chili-cook-offs over the years, as well as for his clever wit and fun sense of humor. He was a long time member of the Hoevel-Barnett Post #1341 VFW in Bull Shoals, AR where he could be found on Saturdays playing pool with his friends.
Jerry is survived by his loving companion of thirty six year, Barbara Cardillo of Lakeview; four children, Christina Marie Holly, Debra Sue Rollo, Pamela Ann Ross, and Troy Thomas Dandrea; brother, Richard Welch; seven grandchildren, Sarah (pre-deceased) Kimberly, Daniel, Nicole, Alex, Aaron, and Melissa and two great-grandchildren, Randi and Dreyson. Jerry will be greatly missed by his family and many friends

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Kirby & Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 717 Central Blvd, Bull Shoals, AR 72619. Military honors will be rendered by Hoevel-Barnett Post #1341 and the United States Navy Honor Guards.