Larry Joe Bryant

Larry Joseph Bryant’s life journey began in Leon, Iowa on October 3, 1940 when he was born to Willa Griffin Bryant and Lloyd Woodrow Wilson Bryant. Larry passed away on the morning of April 23, 2025 at Iowa Lutheran Hospital and is deeply missed. Larry was a quiet soul who loved loudly. He always had a smile on his face while often delivering a one-liner that would make the whole room laugh.

Larry lived a full life surrounded by the people he loved. He would have celebrated his 57th wedding anniversary this November with his wife, Paula Bryant. You’d often find them hand in hand, and knew his love for her was endless.

He passed on his love of all things sports to his son, Sean Bryant, where they’d often chat about the scores and biggest plays of the week. He was a doting grandfather to his two grandchildren, Colette and Oliver Bryant and incredible father-in-law to Samantha Bryant, who all reside in Lone Tree, Colorado.

Larry’s favorite pastimes were cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes from the stands, catching a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, drinking a beer on his deck while the birds chirped away (it was always 5 o’clock somewhere in Larry’s world), whipping up the spiciest version of his famous chili, and he’d often be found out on the golf course with his wife, son, and his golfing crew. He enjoyed many travels with his wife, from London to Ireland, and he was always drawn to a destination with the beach, palm trees, and sun. His favorite place was Keystone, Colorado where he’d have many adventures with his family among the smell of the fresh mountain pine trees and sounds of the bubbling creek.

Larry’s love for the Iowa Hawkeyes stemmed from when he once attended The University of Iowa. Larry studied Political Science and continued on to earn his Juris Doctor (JD) from The University of Iowa College of Law in 1965. Larry served as an Administrative Law Judge at the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. He retired as the Chief Judge within the department after 20 years of dedicated service.

Larry is survived by his wife, son, daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and sister Mary Bryant (Des Moines, Iowa). Larry was preceded in death by his parents (Leon, Iowa), brother Richard Bryant (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), sister-in-law Dixie Bryant (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), and brother-in-law Steve Hampton (Des Moines, Iowa).

He will be honored in a funeral service on Thursday, May 1 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines at 10 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Memorials requested to be sent to St. Francis of Assisi Church (7075 Ashworth Rd, West Des Moines, IA 50266). Donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation would mean the world to his family.