RAYMOND GORDON “RAY” O’BRYANT
RAYMOND GORDON “RAY” O’BRYANT
Raymond Gordon “Ray” O’Bryant, age 81, of Kahoka, MO, passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2020 in the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.
Ray was born October 7, 1938 at home in Bellflower, CA, a son of George and Verna Bosserman O’Bryant.
He was first married in 1959 to Brooxie Hicks and they were the parents of Michael and Sheila.
On October 21, 1983 he was married to Michaelin Fish in Las Vegas, NV.
Survivors include his wife, Michaelin “Mikie” O’Bryant of Kahoka; one son, Michael Ray O’Bryant and his wife, Pamela Sue, of Albany, IN; a daughter, Sheila Renee Sherman of Lakewood, CA; four grandchildren: Brittney Rae Lyons of Fort Wayne, IN, Hanah Marie Reynolds and her husband, David, of Port Wentworth, GA, Mershawn Renee Mitchell and her husband, Brandon, of East Vale, CA, and Megan Elizabeth McDole of Lakewood, CA; four great-grandchildren: Lillian Rae Lyons and Sadie Rae, Sydney Cathleen, and Matthew Christopher Mitchell; two brothers-in-law, Frank Laurence of Susanville, CA and Jon Brightwell and his wife, Annette, of Cedar Rapids, IA; as well as other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Earl Fish and Helen and Art Brightwell; one brother, Robert O’Bryant; a sister, Betty Laurence; and brother-in-law, Jim Brightwell.
Ray graduated from Paramount High School in California and then entered the U. S. Army.
He was very proud to be an Army veteran and have been of service to his country.
He was an employee of McDonnell Douglas serving in supervisory capacity, retiring after 33 years of employment.
It was then that he and Mikie retired to Mikie’s home town, giving him an opportunity to live and experience rural life.
He had loved to fish and this gave him the chance to rekindle that interest.
This also gave him a chance to make new friends, frequent coffee shops, read, and continue woodworking.
Anyone that knew Ray was subject to being “teased” and would have thought something was wrong if he didn’t.
He also loved old cars and had owned several during his life.
Graveside services and military rites will be held Friday, August 28, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at the Kahoka Cemetery.
There will be no visitation.
Memorials are suggested to the H. E. Sever Memorial Library.
Arrangements are being handled by Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka.
On-line condolences may be expressed at www.wilsonfuneralservice.com.
Acknowledgement of Military Service
The members of the United States Army, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars hearby acknowledge that Comrade Raymond Gordon O’Bryant served our country for two years and nine months, in the United States Army.
He served as a Duty Soldier with Headquarters, Headquarters Squadron, C&C Battalion, 101stAirborne Division. He attained the rank of Private First Class (E-3).
He was awarded and authorized to wear the following decoration:
Parachutist Badge
He enlisted 4 March 1957, received an honorable discharge 3 December 1959, and returned to Lakewood (Los Angeles), California. He transferred to the XV United States Army (Reserve) Corps Presidio of San Francisco, California serving until 3 March 1963.
The caissons have been muffled and the flag lowered for our comrade, who joined the staff of the supreme commander 12 August 2020. At his final post, we wish him fair skies and smooth pathways.
