Bobby Gene "BearTracks" Bryant Sr.

The family will receive friends at the Collier-Butler Funeral Home in Gadsden, 6-8 pm Sunday, October 21, 2018. The family will receive friends at 10 am with the funeral following at 11:00 am. Monday, Brother Scott Hassell and Brother Richard Johnson will officiate.

Burial will follow at Rainbow Memorial Gardens. Bear will be transported

via a vintage fire-truck to honor his request for “one last ride” on a fire truck.

Bear was born on August 15, 1938, in Heflin, Alabama.

He is survived by wife, Dr. Barbara Harp Bryant, son Bobby G. Bryant (Karen) Gulf Breeze, FL, daughter Beverly (Jeff) Colvin. RBC; Grand Children: Bobby III (BeGail) Bryant, Elizabeth Colvin Bohannon (Lee): Patrick (Toni) Bryant, Jeffery (Bree) Colvin, Laura Colvin Stargell (Justin) and Bryan Colvin. Great-Grandchildren: Abby, Logan, Annie, Trace, Adyen, Adelyn and Lincoln.

He was preceeded in death by parents: James and Ruby Waites Bryant and siblings Bill Bryant and Jo Haney. He survived by sisters Irene Anderson and Shirley Bobbit: brothers John “Hop” Bryant, James Bryant and Pete Bryant.

With his cut-down cars; his big size and his great ability in sports: football, basketball, baseball, track, etc., he was well liked and respected by teachers and peers alike. Much to his embarrassment, the coach posted a “fan letter” signed by 300 girls from a rival school. While popular with these girls he had already picked out a 14-year old girl whose father would not let her date until she was 16. He asked her to marry him and for a first date on her 16th birthday. When he arrived her daddy about 5’9” opened the door, looked up at 6’6” tall Bear and said, “She can’t go! I said she could date boys, not men!”

Bear retired as a Commander and EMT for the City of Gadsden Fire Department.

He retired as Assistant Fire Chief for the Rainbow City Fire Department; Owner of Bryant Fire Equipment Company; Co-Owner and Professional Photographer for The Messenger Newspaper of Gadsden and The Islander Newspaper of Florida; Co-owner of Bryant’s Place, Mobile Home Park in Rainbow City and Operations Manager for Dr. Barbara Bryant and Associates. He was also active in the Etowah County Democratic Women’s Club and the Democratic Executive Committee.

At Glencoe High School (Class of 1958) Bear lettered in Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track. He received offers of 14 college scholarships, but chose to stay home to help his family and marry his high school sweetheart.

He was a man of many interests. He was a certified CB radio operator made friends world-wide as WB4ICS. An avid Alabama Football Fan and photographer he was given a side-line season pass by Paul “Bear” Bryant. He enjoyed deer hunting, bowling and travel.

For his “Don’t take My Picture” column in the Messenger he had over 90,000 pictures still on his computer. He enjoyed walking over his farm with his brother “Hop” and talking about the old days, But most of all he loved spending time with his family, especially his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and his chosen family all the Harps: Jimmie (Jeanne)Harp, Mickey Harp, Charlotte Harp Lankford (Ladale) Dennis Harp (Nancy) Delores Harp Roach, Debbie (David) Gibbs and Terry (Laura) Harp and their families.

The funeral will include full Firefighter honors with Fellow firefighters standing honor guard and serving as Pallbearers.

Honorary Pallbearers will be grand and great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will follow afterwards at the Rainbow City Community Center, next to his beloved RBC Fire Department with all friends invited.

Special Thanks to Alacare personnel and to the many friends, who visited, sat on the front porch with him.