John Russell Bryson

John Russell Bryson, beloved son, brother, husband and father, passed away in the palliative care unit of Wesley Long hospital surrounded by his family on Saturday, November 20, 2010. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Jamestown United Methodist Church. Dr. Gary Royals, Reverend Jim Watford and Reverend Jay Bowers will officiate the service. The family will receive visitors before the service at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

John was born in Asheville on June 18, 1930 to George Wiley and Ivah Starnes Bryson and lived in Greensboro most of his life. He attended Jamestown High School and High Point University. He married Nell McNairy on October 4, 1951. They have two children, Rusty and J’Nell.

He was a veteran of the Korean War and was discharged a Master Sergeant. His professional life included 17 years as the Deputy Director of the Greensboro Coliseum, a career which he dearly loved and where he had many great friends.

Through his loving spirit he left a long legacy of charity work for his church and community. He spent 12 years coaching Pony League baseball and many years as a Scout Leader in the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of Hinshaw Memorial Methodist Church for 60 years before transferring to Jamestown United Methodist Church. He was very active in his former church having served in almost every office and in 1966 was included in the “Who’s Who in the United Methodist Church of America.” He was an avid vegetable gardener, loved beach vacations with his family, Braves baseball and Duke basketball.

He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Donald and Alfred Bryson and sister Wylma Hedrick. He is survived by wife Nell McNairy, daughter J’Nell and partner Anne Tompkins, of Charlotte, son John R., Jr. (Rusty) and wife Lisa, of Jamestown and sons Elliott, of Jamestown and Harrison Rogers of Boone, brothers George Wiley Bryson Jr., of Greensboro, sister Dee Montague and husband Bob, of Cary, brother Charles Bryson of Winston Salem, sister-in-law Lake M. Bryson of Simpsonville, S.C. as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Jamestown United Methodist Church, 403 E. Main Street, Jamestown, N.C. 27282.