Dale Kenneth Bryant

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dale Kenneth Bryant of Clayton, NC, on Monday, September 29, 2025. Dale fought a hard battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and was being lovingly cared for by community staff at Kingswood Reserve in Clayton, NC, and Wilson Hospice. Dale was 70 years old.

Born on July 18, 1955 in Kinston, NC, Dale was the oldest son of the late Douglas Oliver and Barbara Marie (Ledger) Bryant. He spent his childhood moving to various towns in both North Carolina and Virginia as his father’s football coaching career advanced. The family’s final move was to Rural Retreat, VA, when Dale was in eighth grade. Dale graduated from Rural Retreat High School with the class of 1975. While at RRHS, Dale excelled as a four sport athlete playing football, baseball, basketball and running track. He lettered in every sport every year and set school, county and conference records, some which still stand today, 50 plus years later. In 1998 Dale was inducted into the Wythe County (Virginia) Sports Hall of Fame. As the proud owner of numerous sports achievements, honors and trophies, Dale always said his most cherished sports honor was being named Hogoheegee Conference (VA) football “Back of the Year” alongside his father being named football “Coach of the Year” after the 1974 season.

After high school, Dale attended Virginia Highlands Community College studying drafting and design. During this time he felt the calling to serve as a Wythe County Deputy Sheriff so he left college after one year and became a sworn deputy. Dale served in this capacity for 10 years prior to moving to North Carolina in early 1985.

Dale began his pharmaceutical industry career at Glaxo, Inc in Zebulon, NC in July, 1985. He was a hard worker and a valued team member in the facility maintenance department for many years. It was at Glaxo where Dale met his wife Sharron. They married on July 10, 1987 and welcomed their son, JD in January, 1990. In 1993 they decided to move to Clayton and build their forever home.

Dale’s facility maintenance career took him to Novo Nordisk (NNPII) in 1996 and then back to GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in 2005 as a production operator. Dale was proud to help produce Ventolin HFA Inhaler, Advair Diskus MDPI and work on early batches of BREO Ellipta. As planned, Dale completed his career with GSK in July 2015 at which time he began his much-anticipated retirement. He and JD enjoyed their days together especially meeting friends for lunch and browsing and shopping in Lowe’s Home Improvement and Home Depot!

Dale could fix anything and he always had a project or two in the works. He enjoyed deejaying parties and events with JD and Sharron by his side. Many weddings, pool parties and barbecues were complimented by Dale’s “radio voice” and the great selection of songs he played. Dale especially loved Bluegrass music, with Alison Krauss being one of his favorites. His musical library included all genres including Country, Top 40, Beach and Easy Listening. New Year’s Eve parties at the Bryant home became an annual event for his extended family and close friends. Line dances in the family room were extra special for everyone.

Dale was an excellent golfer and was an original member of The Neuse Golf Club when it opened in 1993. He loved spending the day playing golf and he was very proud of landing a “Hole in One” on the signature 14th hole at The Neuse on October 1, 1999.

Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s disease had other plans for Dale. He managed the disease with dignity and grace for thirteen years and in December, 2024, he entered Kingswood Reserve Luxury Living for Seniors Memory Care community. The management and staff welcomed Dale and provided excellent care to him every day. The family wishes to thank the entire Kingswood Reserve community, management, staff and residents and their families for the kindness, love and support shown to us while Dale was there. Special thanks are extended to Jason Castro, Campus Director at Kingswood Reserve for the extra support he provided to Dale and our family. Additional thanks are extended to Wilson Hospice, especially nurse Jordan for their loving care during Dale’s final days. We will be forever grateful for their support.

Dale will be remembered as a kind and compassionate man with a strong willingness to help others. While living at Kingswood Reserve, he earned the reputation of wanting to help the other residents and caregivers and he was quick to lend a hand carrying bags, comforting others and keeping the areas clean and neat.

Dale was a charter member of Clayton Methodist Church joining at its formation in 2023. Prior to this, he was a 30-year member of Horne Memorial UMC where he sang in the Chancel Choir for over 10 years. Dale loved Jesus and he especially enjoyed the fellowship and camaraderie he shared with his fellow choir members.

Dale was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend. He is survived by his soul mate and wife of 38 years, Sharron Swanson Bryant and his son Jerry Douglas “JD” Bryant, both of the home; his son Justin Levi Bryant, grandson Austin Ty Bryant and granddaughter Noelle Kate Bryant, all of Rural Retreat, VA. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Swanson of Clayton, NC; sisters-in-law and their husbands, Robin and Dallas Register of Dunn, NC; Lynne and Charles Parrish, Deanna and Chris Carter, and Jill and Andrew Clark, all of Clayton, NC. Numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews also survive. Dale was preceded in death by his parents and his only brother, Darryl Alan Bryant, all of Rural Retreat, VA.

A visitation for family and friends will take place on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 7-9pm at McLaurin Funeral Home, Clayton, NC. A funeral service will be held at McLaurin Funeral Home on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 12:30pm with Rev. Dan Lyons and Rev. Richard Stone officiating. Entombment will occur in the Mausoleum at Montlawn Memorial Park, Raleigh, NC immediately following the service. Pallbearers will be, Chris Carter, Andrew Clark, Charles Parrish, Dallas Register, Jonathan Byrd and Ryan Carter. Honorary Pallbearers include Dylan Carter, Aaron Clark, Matthew Muirhead and Austin Riley.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to Clayton Methodist Church Capital Campaign, PO Box 1117, Clayton, NC 27528.

Sharron and JD wish to thank our family, friends and neighbors for the prayers, visits, texts, calls and acts of kindness extended during this difficult time. You have provided strength and support during our darkest days and we thank each of you. Dale will be greatly missed by his family but we rejoice that he is sitting in the presence of Jesus Christ and has been reunited with his loved ones that preceded him. He has been made whole and his suffering is over.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7