Charles Richard Bryant

"Charlie" (Charles Richard) Bryant, 79 man about the Mesa, passed away early Wednesday, July 12, 2017 following an in-home accident. Born February 11, 1938 in Richmond, Virginia, Charlie attended Thomas Jefferson High School where he discovered his love of writing. Post high school, he served in the Army National Guard. Noteworthy is that he was in the VA guard unit which escorted the first black students into Little Rock (AR) High School in 1957. He continued his education at Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Common- wealth University) earning a degree in Social Science/Journalism (1962). With his new degree in hand, Charlie traveled to New York City where he lived in Greenwich Village and wrote for the Village Voice.

In 1963, Charlie married Jane Marshall ("Marty", later divorced) Meredith of Richmond. Together, they moved to Santa Barbara where they had their only child. In 1979, Charlie settled into his Mesa home. Charlie loved Santa Barbara - both its location, and its people. As a gifted published poet, his literary skills were apparent and he was accepted into the Santa Barbara coffee-house culture where he was often asked to give poetry readings. The Santa Barbara Free Press interviewed Charles and did a feature article- "The Poet of the Mesa" - complete with photographs.

Charlie became well known in and around the city with Bryant's Tree Service - caring for many of the city's beautiful trees - both private and public- for 35 years. He took great pride in his work, and for many years after his retirement enjoyed revisiting trees for which he had a special personal interest. During the 1960's and 70's, Charlie was also an active volunteer fire fighter helping whenever and wherever he was needed.

Poetry, books, boxing (awarded while in the Guard), motorcycles, movies, and beaches were some of his passions, along with a deep appreciation for nature and animals, especially horses and dogs. Most of all, however, Charlie loved hearing people's stories, but sharing little of his own. He spent his later years strolling through his neighborhood with his rusty-colored, four-legged pal Uma, gathering stories, spreading Mesa news, and making regular coffee stops with friends. Just about everyone on the lower Mesa knew, or knew of, this Mesa fixture.

Charlie was preceded in death by his only child, Meredith Lee Bryant Hudson, and his parents. He is survived by his Virginia family: sister Barbara Bryant Ford, and grandson Marshall Cramer Hudson.

Sincere thanks to the Cottage nurses on 3 Ridley-Tree (appropriate!), and the staff at The California Skilled Nursing, who showed compassion and patience during his final days. Untold stories are coming to light of this many-faceted one-of-a-kind. A truly unique, witty, and talented "individual" ... Charlie is greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. Surely a book and movie will follow?

Remembrances can be shared at www.wrhsb.com