Larry Thomas Bryant

Larry Thomas Bryant, 60, of Louisville left this world on June 4, 2020.

Larry was born in Louisville on August 25, 1959 to Joe and Mary Rose Bryant. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his grandparents Ben Thomas and Ollie Bryant and Malcolm and Edwina Hinton.

He graduated from Iroquois High School, served in the US Air Force and retired from Kroger.

He was a parishioner of St Luke's Catholic Church where he was especially fond of Father Joe Rankin.

Larry was also a Diaper Changer, Lunch Preparer, Ginger Ale Pharmacist, Ice Tea Barista, Bug Exterminator, Campfire Starter/Firebug, Swimming Depth Monitor, Tent Assembly Expert, Sand Castle Architect, Homework Specialist, Boogie Board Instructor, Video Game Supervisor, Master Griller, Official Thanksgiving Turkey Chef, Sofa Referee, Duct Tape Aficionado and Garden Tomato Distributor.

He enjoyed roller coasters, dogs (even bad ones, but not ankle biters), gardening, storytelling, fishing, The State Fair, State Parks and camping. For some mysterious reason only understood by him and his Creator, Larry was a lifelong fan of UK basketball. "That's just Dad" was often used to explain the mysterious. Also, something about he enjoyed shooting bulls (perhaps we misunderstood him?).

Besides his children, Larry was most proud of his many years of sobriety. His sobriety was achieved by the grace of his Higher Power with assistance from the Brook Hospital, many kindred souls and countless Meetings. A tattered copy of the Big Book was his companion.

Larry is survived by his daughters Shelby Lynn Bryant and Lyndsey Rose Bryant and by his former wife Peggy Bryant and family He is also survived by his brother Joe Bryant ,wife Teresa, niece Jacquelyn and family, by his brother Jeffrey Bryant and spouse Lannie, and by Ruby the Dog (aka "The Club"). Larry leaves behind an extended family, many friends and neighbors.

To honor Larry's memory, plant tomatoes, go fishing, watch basketball, go to church, get to a Meeting, talk to your doctor about prostate cancer. The best way to honor his memory is to keep those you love close and say things that will annoy them to tears. To be teased by Larry was to be loved by Larry.

Larry loved us deeply, forever and unconditionally. He loved us not in spite of our flaws but because of them. God gave us only one Larry; we neither deserved more nor could we handle more. Finally (finally!!) after all of these years we get the last word -

We love you, Brother. We love you, Dad.

A public visitation will be at Saint Luke's Catholic Church at 4211 Jim Hawkins Drive in Okolona from 9am to 10am on Saturday June 6th with a public funeral Mass to follow at 10am. The visitation and Mass will follow social distancing guidelines and the family understands everyone that chooses not to attend due to pandemic concerns. A military burial will be at a later date. Please send no flowers; honor Larry's memory in other ways.