James "Jay" W. Bryant

James “Jay” W. Bryant, passed away Sunday, September 12, 2010, at Deaconess Hospice Care Center. He was born July 1, 1931, to Otle W. and Lorene Tabor Bryant in McLean County, KY. After living near Springfield, IL, he moved to Evansville in July 1942.

He attended Mechanic Arts School and was a 1949 graduate of Central High School in Evansville. Jay was associated for years with his father in Bryant’s Body Shop in Evansville and was also self-employed, buying and selling government surplus property.

Jay enjoyed traveling, hunting for rubies, sapphires and garnets in North Carolina, peridots in Arizona, panning for gold in Colorado, and arrowhead hunting.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otle W. and Lorene Tabor Bryant.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dolores Diamond Bryant; daughter, Vicki Watkins (Howard) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; son, Jay Glenn Bryant (Karol) of Evansville; son, Mason Bryant (Simona) currently serving in the U.S. Army and stationed at Ft. Bliss, TX; grandchildren, Heather Watkins of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Zachary Watkins currently serving in the U.S. Army and stationed at Ft. Sill, OK; Megan and Jesse Bryant of Evansville; Mason N.L. Bryant currently serving in the U.S. Army and deployed to Afghanistan; and Benjamin and Elisabetta Bryant of Ft. Bliss, TX; three great-grandchildren; sister, Helen Vicki Birkhead of Evansville; and his dogs, Skye and Puddin.

Services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, September 15, 2010, at Alexander West Chapel, officiated by Bro. Ralph Chaney with burial at Alexander Memorial Park. Friends may visit Tuesday from 2:00 to 8:00 PM and Wednesday from 10:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.