Benton Lyons Bryant

Benton Lyons Bryant, 72, of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025. Ben was born on June 22, 1953, in Lubbock, Texas, to Mary Alice Elizabeth (Reynolds) Bryant and Robert Stillwell Bryant.

A proud Texan through and through, Ben attended Texas Tech University and remained a lifelong Red Raider fan. His loyalty to their football and basketball teams never wavered, regardless of the score.

Ben spent the first part of his career with Nabisco, during which his family and friends fondly knew him as the “cookie man.” Later, he worked as a Realtor for nearly two decades, helping families find their dream homes across the Houston area.

Outside of work, Ben was an avid tennis player and an active member of his community. He served his neighborhood in many ways, including leadership roles on the Homeowners Association and the Water Board. Whether it was a tennis match, a meeting, or a friendly debate, Ben approached everything with enthusiasm and conviction.

Known affectionately as a “black sheep” to his family and as “PePaw” to his grandchildren, Ben wore both titles with pride. He was a man who loved to “stir the pot” just enough to make things interesting; one friend even gifted him a large wooden spoon to commemorate this mischievous side of his personality. But beneath that spiritedness was a warm and generous heart, one that always had time for friends and family.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Alice Elizabeth and Robert Stillwell Bryant; his brother, Dallas Bryant; his wife, Joy Elaine (Jones) Bryant; and his daughter, Melanie Charmaine Bryant. He is survived by his children Vanessa and Christopher, his daughter-in-law Yilan, his sisters LeEarl and Kaye, his brother Robert, and his grandchildren Javen, Taylor, Emily, and Oliver.

A graveside service for Ben will be held Monday, November 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Resthaven Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 5740 19th St, Lubbock, TX 79407. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the SPCA of Texas in Ben’s name—and that friends and family give a hearty “Wreck ’Em Tech!” in his honor.