Melvin Leroy “Tank” Bryant, Jr., 85, of China Spring, passed away Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Providence Hospice Place in Waco.
Visitation: 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, at Lake Shore Funeral Home
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, at Oak Grove Baptist Church
Burial: Wortham Bend Cemetery in China Spring
Melvin L. “Tank” Bryant was born June 16, 1932, in a little white house just off Highway 6, about a mile-and-a-half outside of Valley Mills. He graduated from Waco High School in 1949 after making quite a name for himself as a La Vega High School football legend, thus earning the nickname “Tank.” On August 5, 1950, he married the love of his life, Patsy Elizabeth Dorman. He and Patsy started their family in Bosque County, but soon moved to Port Arthur where he worked at the Texaco Oil refinery.
Tank owned and operated a dairy farm for 10 years, worked in the construction business for 20 years and retired from Huck Manufacturing in 1998. No matter what profession he pursued, he remained loyal to his farm and his livestock. His relationship with Jesus Christ was the single most important part of Melvin Bryant’s life. He was a faithful, active member of Oak Grove Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, worked with the youth, played on the softball team, and helped build the beautiful church sanctuary. He treasured the memories of a 1983 trip to La Paz, Bolivia, where he and Patsy worked as missionaries, sharing Gospel with the Aymara people. Melvin and Patsy raised seven children on their farm in Bosque County. He loved his Lord, his beautiful wife, his family, his land, his puppy, “Muffin,”and all his farm animals. He also loved the Baylor Bears and Texas Rangers.
Melvin awakened one morning to tell his family that he heard his Lord calling him home. After giving the family he loved so much the gift of one last day with him, he peacefully answered that call. On April 14, 2018, Melvin “Tank” Bryant went home to be with the Lord and “walk the streets of gold holding his sweetheart’s hand.”
Among those awaiting his entrance into Heaven were his precious wife of 59 years, Patsy and their beloved son, Gene. He was also preceded in death by his parents, whom he loved and respected throughout his life, Roy and Ruth Bryant; sister, Janie Ruth; his brothers, Bobby Joe and Jerry Don Bryant; and his great-granddaughter Hannah Shay.
He is survived by his children, Elizabeth and Tommy Layne of China Spring, Earl and Cindy Bryant of Lindale, Roland and Jani Bryant of China Spring, Wayne and Nimmie Bryant of China Spring, Margaret and Butch Sykora of Waco, and Laura and Darren Obenoskey of China Spring; his brother, Jimmy and Virginia Bryant of China Spring; sister, Hanna and Lee McCleary of Waxahachie, and sister-in-law, Janie Bryant of Woodway. He also leaves behind a legacy of 22 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Charles Patterson, Jacob Bryant, Ben Bryant, Scott Layne, Allen Bryant, and faithful friends, Al Smith, Bill Dickson and James Tindell. Honorary pallbearers will be his great-grandsons, Blake Bryant, Brandon Bryant, Blain Bryant, Ernest Patterson, Roy Bryant and Mason Obenoskey.
His life and his death personified his testimony:“This is my way of saying that only two things count in this life, our relation to God and our relation to our fellow man.”~Melvin
(taken from the last line of his hand-written testimony)
Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Place of Service: Wortham Bend Cemetery , 614 Oak Grove Loop; China Spring, TX 76633
Print Obituary & Condolences
We are in prayer for the family as we know how dearly he was loved.
Our deepest sympathy on your loss. We know that he was much loved by his family and friends, and will
be dearly missed. We will pray for strength and comfort for the family. God bless you.
May God’s peace surround you all during this difficult time. We will be praying for the family. Wesley has talked quite a bit about how much he respected Melvin. Many stories he has told as I’m sure all of his family could tell some great ones. God bless each of you.
Im so sorry for your loss. He was a great man and will be missed greatly.
Love Miller Family
I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Bryant. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I love this family and had nothing but respect for Melvin. He has raised a fine family and the fruits bear the truth. I am sad for my friends but, want to rejoice for Melvin! God bless this family and comfort them.
Prayers for all his family and friends
So sorry for this familys loss and prayers for his sons and daughters
To the Bryant family. May God Bless you all. With our deepest sympathy.
Love,
Gilda and Steve
So sorry for your lost. Hold tight to the memories. Hugs to you all. From TJ and Me!inda Clingerman
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of Mr. Bryant. May the love of those around you help your family through the days ahead.
My prayers are with all of you at this time. Im so sorry for you loss.
Connie Balch Palmer
Wayne, Roland, Earl, Elizabeth, Margaret, and Lauralee
I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad and you are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. It is never easy to lose a parent no matter how old we are.
Sorry for your loss he was a great man
We are so sorry for the loss of Mr. Bryant. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family, and our Grandchildren we shared, Jacob and Janice. God Bless.
To the Bryant family.
We were so happy we got to come to the visitation and see everyone. And we got to say our good byes to this wonderful man.
I just stood back and looked and listened at the visitors and what they had to say. There wasn’t one tear that I saw which to meant to me that he was at home now and peaceful being with Patsy again and with his other relatives that had gone on before him and though sad at him not being here any long we are joyful that he is well again.
I heard nothing but wonderful things being said about this man who has done nothing but good in his life.
And I could just see all the love of everyone in the rooms. Just by the amount of visitors there I could just see and feel the love and it was so telling how loved this man was and will always be.
He is not looking down on all of us and I will be forever grateful for Melvin being in my life…..
Love to all you kids …
Rhonda and Mitch