Editor's Note: Friend Jerry Bryant, whose enthusiasm for and pursuit of Black Hills history was widely recognized, died last weekend (1/24/2015) in Rapid City. His passing came after several years of declining health. His published obituary follows. On this LCHS website, you'll find several stories reflecting Jerry Bryant's activism in local history. May he rest in peace. Our condolences to Linda and the entire Bryant family.
Jerry Bryant
(October 22, 1945 - January 24, 2015)
Jerry Lynn Bryant, 69, Deadwood, SD died January 24, 2015 at Rapid City Regional Hospital with his family by his side. Jerry and his wife Linda had been residents of Deadwood for the past 15 years.
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| Jerry Bryant (October 1945-January 2015) |
He was born in Muscatine, IA on October 22, 1945 to Lysle and Norma (Cotton) Bryant, he was an only child. He married Linda Harano on April 1, 1975 in Tokyo, Japan.
Jerry was a decorated Navy Senior Chief, he retired in 1988 after 24 ½ years of service. He then pursued a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and a master’s degree in cultural resources management from Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA. After moving to Deadwood in 1999, he worked at the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service in Spearfish and then the Adams Museum in Deadwood. After retiring for a second time, he became involved in Deadwood's Historic Preservation and the Lawrence County Historical Society, where he served as president for a few years.
He is survived by his wife Linda, Deadwood; son, Mitsuo and fiancée Megan Petersen, Salt Lake City, UT; daughter, Sumie fiancé Brent Adams, Pewaukee, WI; granddaughters, Kaia, Mika, Hana and mother-in-law, Mary Ann Harano. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lysle and Norma Bryant and granddaughter, Amaya Lynn Bryant-Gonzales.
Services for Jerry will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to the Deadwood Trust for Historic Preservation PO Box 198, Deadwood, SD 57732.
