Jesse "Ike" Randolph Bryant

BRYANT – Jesse Randolph Bryant (Ike) passed away July 14, 2015 at age 85. He was born July 18, 1929 in Buckingham County, VA to Susan Marie Weeks Bryant and Samuel Jennings Bryant and was one of nine children. At the age of 17 he joined the US Navy and was able to travel the world. His first assignment was aboard the USS George K. MacKenzie, which performed screening and support services, bombardment missions and antisubmarine missions during the Korean War. After shore duty in Guam and Norfolk, Jesse was assigned to the USS Lindenwald. The Lindenwald was part of the MSTS (Military Sea Transport Service) which made supply runs to bases in northern Greenland and the Artic. With the use of an icebreaker the Lindenwald delivered supplies and troops to early warning missile defense stations located at the North Pole.Next, after serving on the USS Sumner, Jesse was assigned to the USS Noa. Jesse was on board when on February 20th, 1962 “Friendship Seven” reentered the atmosphere with Lt. Col. John H. Glenn, Project Mercury Astronaut. The USS Noa was only 3 miles away from friendship when it landed in the Atlantic Ocean. John Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth and after making history the Noa plucked him from the Atlantic Ocean.Following two years of shore duty Jesse was assigned to the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt and Aircraft Carrier based at Mayport Naval Station, Jacksonville, FL. While Jesse was serving on the Roosevelt its deployment to Vietnam earned it a battle star for service.After 21 years in the US Navy Jesse retired as Chief. Following retirement from the Navy Jesse was an owner/operator trucker for 37 years traveling to 37 states.After retiring from trucking Jesse and Jeanette moved to Yulee from Jacksonville to be closer to their grandchildren. Jesse enjoyed being involved with his grandchildren; attending their activities and watching them grow up. He also liked watching TV, yard work, playing poker, fishing and especially fixing up his 31 Model A. Ford. Jesse was loved by everyone and had a heart of gold. He had a special place in his heart for animals and children. He never met a stranger and was willing to help anyone who needed it. He will be greatly missed by neighbors, friends and family.Jesse was predeceased by Jesse Randolph Bryant, JR. (Son); brothers, Richard, Robert, Frank, Addison and Calvin Bryant; and sister, Dorothy Bryant Banton.Survivors include his loving wife (who he was wed to on July 15, 1955) Jeanette Elizabeth Bryant; daughter, Elizabeth Bryant Clark and son-in-law Paul Douglas Clark; granddaughters, Jennie Elizabeth Clark and Paula Kaitlyn Clark; grandson, Randy Douglas Clark; sister, Caroline Bryant Perkinson, Medlothian, VA; brother, Ronnie Bryant (Betty), Chesterfield, VA and multiple nieces and nephews.The family will receive friends on Saturday from 1:00-2:00 pm in the Chapel of Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Saturday at Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home, 940 Cesery Blvd. Interment with full Military Honors will follow in Arlington Park Cemetery.In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials in memory of Jesse R. (Ike) Bryant to, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 96160 Nassau Place, Fernandina Bch., FL 32034 or www.communityhospice.com/for-donors-and-volunteers