David E. Bryant

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David E. Bryant, 81, of Gaylord, passed away Saturday, March 16, 2019.

David was born in Detroit to the late Warren and Onnellee (Wise) Bryant. David graduated from Mackenzie High School, Detroit Michigan in 1956 and Wayne State University in 1960.

He married Claudia Kendrick on September 24, 1960. They have two children, Gregory and John.

David worked at Detroit Bank and Trust/Comerica Bank for 35 years as Vice President of the trust department. In his spare time David enjoyed working as an off-ice official for the National Hockey League. He served as the Detroit Red Wings penalty timekeeper from 1960-1995. In addition, he coached many amateur youth hockey teams in the Royal Oak Hockey Association. David retired in 1994 and he and Claudia moved to Gaylord where they made many friends and enjoyed retirement. David also enjoyed music, the Chicago Cubs, the Green Bay Packers, and Michigan State football and basketball games.

David is survived by his wife, Claudia (Kendrick) Bryant; sons, Gregory (Beth) Bryant of Royal Oak and John (Carrie) Bryant of Clarkston and grandchildren, Katie, Steven, Jack and Zoe. He also leaves behind many friends in the Gaylord and Detroit area.

A funeral service will take place at St. Andrew Episcopal Church in Gaylord, on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Otsego County Library or Gaylord Blue Devils Hockey.

19 comments on “David E. Bryant”

  1. Claudia and Family, our hearts go out to you, I’ve known most of you for so many years.. I’m so sorry we are unable to attend the service but our thoughts and prayers with be with you all..

    Love,
    Frank and Laurie Noa

  2. Mary Ann and Charlene

    Claudia and Family, so sorry for your loss and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

    God Bless,

    Mary Ann and Charlene

  3. Dear Claudia and Family;

    Sad to learn of Dave’s passing, a true gentleman, he was a calming influence, and so easy to work with at RedWing games.
    We always enjoyed Dave’s presence in the Officials locker room or Press Room at JLA.

    Sincerely,
    Mark Pare
    Retired NHL Official

    1. Hi Mark,

      Thank you for reaching out and the kind words. My dad spoke of you and many of the other on-ice officials. He loved hockey and being part of the off-ice official team for the Red Wings.

      Thanks again,

      Greg Bryant

  4. Greg, Beth and family,

    Our deepest condolences in the loss of your Dad.
    It sounds like he had a remarkable life.
    Know that we are thinking if you guys in this time of sadness and we hope that you find comfort in cherished memories of him.

    Take care,
    Tom and Lisa

    1. Hi Lisa & Tom,

      Thank you for the nice words, it really means a lot to our family during this difficult time. Beth and I appreciate your thoughtfulness and friendship.

      Greg

  5. Claudia my heart is breaking for you. Please accept my deepest sympathy. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Peace and light – Dave.

    Pam Awrey

  6. Kathy Sobocinski

    So very sorry for your loss Claudia & family. I always enjoyed visiting with you & Dave, whether it was at the Sugar Bowl or on the street. May God comfort you during this difficult time. Sincerely, Kathy Sobocinski

    1. Hi Kathy,

      Thank you so much for the kind words. My dad LOVED visiting with you at the Sugar Bowl…I guess I did too. 🙂 We appreciate your thoughtfulness during this difficult time, it really means a lot to us. Take care.

      Greg

  7. Claudia, so sorry for your loss!! Always so wonderful caring for David. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers!

  8. Beth Boguslawski

    I worked with Dave for a number of years at DB&T/Comerica. He was such a great guy, funny and always smiling. He let my daughter and nephew in the penalty box before the Wings game, they still remember how great that was. My sympathy to the Bryant family.

  9. Claudia, Greg and John, Condolences on your loss. Dave, as you know, was a long time good friend. Know he will be missed, Love and Prayers.

  10. Mary and Willard Flinn

    Claudia: Our sympathy to you during this time of recovery and sadness. We pray for you and may God bless you .

  11. Hockey people like to say that the best friendships are made in the rink. Some 23 (?) years and change ago, I went to a meeting at the Sportsplex where we were discussing staffing the off-ice crew for a Junior team that wanted to play here. I ended up sitting next to this grumpy old guy in the meeting. That guy was David, the team turned out to be the ill-fated Gaylord Grizzlies, and David put together a crew of off-ice officials and ran it the only way he knew how – like a professional crew. The Grizzlies disappeared, and our high school program was born in its place, and Dave’s crew proudly took up their same seats for GHS games. I was proud to be part of that crew, sharing stories, experiences, and an adult beverage or three after each game. One by one, the original guys left the crew, some due to jobs, age, or health. I’m the last man standing from the original crew. What we have today is largely what David built. I’m proud to have had the opportunity to sit next to this guy for so many seasons. I miss my friend. There is hockey in heaven, and you’re starting at center tonight.

    NELSONSFUNERALHOME.COM

  12. Dear Claudia and Bryant Family, As one of the original hockey parents and GHS Hockey Booster officers, I wanted to pass along sympathies on behalf of our family and all the “early years people” associated with Gaylord Blue Devil Hockey. Dave was focused and organized on game night and expected the same of his crew at our home games, using his experience with the Red Wings to make things consummately professional. And they were. His “gray sweater crew,” as some of our guests called them, were helpful and made our high school game nights unlike most I’ve experienced around the state. When the day’s work was done with his crew, or when we met away from the rink, he was a great “story guy” and had lots of great ones to share. Thanks, Dave, for sharing hockey and its lore with us and making our nights at the rink that much more special. I wasn’t part of the post-game Mary’s Tavern group, but I know from others that there probably should have been a tape recorder going when Dave held court there! Thanks to the family for sharing him with us.

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