Dr. Ralph Terry Bryan

Ralph Terry Bryan, 91, died April 7, 2014 at Cook Healthcare Center, Lifestream Youngtown, AZ after a long bout with Alzheimer’s. He was born on October 7, 1922 near Nashville, Tennessee to William Wilson Bryan and Eloise Terry but came to Arizona with his parents at age four. Ralph graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1940. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II reaching the rank of Corporal and enjoyed being a weather instructor. On April 7, 1945, he married Mary Mae Michael while stationed in Madison, Wisconsin. After WWII Ralph was an entrepreneur with his Dad operating several Service Stations in the Phoenix area and then Bryan Sporting Goods for 5 years. Ralph graduated from ASU with a Bachelor’s in Accounting and a Master’s in English and from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a PhD in English. He taught English one year at Camelback High School and 35 years at Grand Canyon University. During his career he became Head of the English Department, loved teaching Shakespeare, headed a team of ten teachers that taught English as a 2nd language in China, and played the character King Lear in a play at Grand Canyon. At 14, Ralph accepted Jesus as his Savior at First Southern Baptist Church in Phoenix where he served over the years as a Sunday school teacher, a choir member, and a deacon. Ralph was an outdoorsman, a hunter, and a fisherman, and traveled to many parts of the U.S. and abroad. During their 69 years of marriage Ralph and Mary Mae built two cabins where they spent many summers with family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Mary Mae, his 4 children, Wayne (Marilyn), Warren (Rosie), Gary (Sally), and Terry (John); 11 Grandchildren, 23 Great Grandchildren, and 1 niece. In Lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Valley (www.hov.org , 602-530-6900) or the Chaplain Ministries, Youngtown Lifestream Complete Senior Living (623-933-4683). A Memorial Service will be at 10:00 am on April 14, 2014 at First Baptist Church of Sun City, 11019 W. Peoria Ave. Sun City, AZ 85351.