Raymond Gene Bryant

Raymond Gene Bryant, 73, of Montrose, Mo., the son of James Russell and Elsie (Clark) Bryant was born Oct. 9, 1938, in Butler, Mo., and passed from this life Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012, at Clinton Healthcare and Rehab in Clinton, Mo.

Ray attended school in both the Butler and Ballard school districts. In 1955, he entered the U.S. Navy serving our country for four years with service aboard the U.S.S. Salisbury Sound. Upon completion of his military service, Ray moved to the Kansas City, Mo., are and soon began employment with General Motors. On March 30, 1962, he was united in marriage to Linda Ellen May in Independence, Mo., and to their union a son and daughter was born, adding a brother and sister for Ray's son Raymond Jr.

His General Motors employment continued for 30 years. As retirement grew near, Ray and Linda decided to buy a place in Montrose, Mo., to enjoy the quiet life. They settled there in the mid-80s. Ray's hobbies included hunting and fishing and he became known around Montrose as the "bicycle man" -- if a child was without a bicycle or had a problem with one, he would always provide the help to get them back on the road.

Survivors include two sons, Raymond Bryant Jr. of Moberly, Mo., and Daryle Bryant and his wife, Marla, of Schell City, Mo.; one daughter, Kellie Hendrickson and her husband, Leroy, of Clinton, Mo.; one sister, Josephine Thompson of Bay City, Texas; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Memorial services with military honors for Raymond Gene Bryant were held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home in Schell City, Mo., with the Rev. Paul Thorade officiating. Musical selections were provided by Diane Eslinger and Sharon Goodman.

Arrangements for Mr. Bryant were entrusted to the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home in Schell City.