Walter Robert Bryan

Walter Robert "Bob" Bryan, age 84, of Brookhaven, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on July 14, 2013. God called him home to heaven after a prolonged battle with pulmonary fibrosis.


Born in 1928 to Oscar and Ruby Bryan, Bob was raised on the family farm in Scooba, Mississippi. Being too young to enlist during WWII, he rode the train to South Dakota for two summers to help harvest the wheat fields. In 1950, Bob married the love of his life, Susan Long Bryan. He received his B.S. degree in Agricultural Engineering from Mississippi State University in 1952. He was a member of the 153rd Fighter Squadron of the MS Air National Guard, which was federalized into the Air Force for active service during the Korean War. After leaving the Air Force, Bob joined Central Chevrolet Co. in Greensboro, AL. In 1957, he joined the Chevrolet Motor Division of G.M. in Birmingham, AL. There he began a 30-year career with Chevrolet during which time he held several positions, the latest of which was Manager of Consumer Relations for the Atlanta Zone. Upon retirement from G.M., he worked as a private contractor for the Ford Motor Co., EAA, and GMAC.



Bob loved people, had a great sense of humor, and was always generous with his time and resources. He received great pleasure in using his ability to fix almost anything for his family, friends and neighbors. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta for 32 years, and was a former member of the First Baptist Church of Chamblee where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. Bob was an outdoorsman at heart, and loved to hunt and fish. Whenever possible, he ended his day with a bowl of Blue Bell ice cream or Susan's "cake and sauce."



Bob is survived by Susan Long Bryan, his precious bride of 63 years; son, Robert Michael "Mike" Bryan (Glennis); daughter, Barbara Bryan Fancher (Paul); daughter, Camille Bryan McDade (Scott); eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; sister, Evelyn Bryan McRaven; brother, Charles Edward Bryan; and many nieces and nephews.



A memorial service to celebrate Bob's life will be held in the chapel of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, at 3:00 p.m. A private interment will be held at the GA National Cemetery in Canton at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Byar's Funeral Home, 678-455-5815, www.byarsfuneralhome.com.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "Interfaith Airport Chaplaincy," P.O. Box 20801, Atlanta, GA 30320, www.airportchapel.org.



Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Cumming, GA.