James William Bryan

James William BryanCorpus Christi, TXJames William Bryan, 82, formerly of Corpus Christi, Texas and Dallas, Texas, died Sunday, March 10, 2013, at The Waters of Minnehaha Assisted Living Home in Minneapolis, Minnesota after battling Alzheimer's disease. James was born March 27, 1930, in San Antonio, Texas to Louis William and Rosa (Lozano) Bryan, and was raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. He attended Roy Miller High School and served in both the United States Air Force and Navy from 1948 to 1954. During the Korean War, his duties were both stateside and in England, where he served as Senior Air Policeman. During James' time in the U.S. military, he helped support his family. After he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force, he applied for benefits under the G.I. Bill, and with that assistance and the love and support from his parents and younger siblings, he became the first in his family to earn a bachelor's degree. He graduated from Texas A & I University in Kingsville (now Texas A & M University Kingsville) in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering. His career included positions as a civil engineer with the Michigan State Highway Department, the Texas Highway Department, the United States Navy Facilities Engineering Command (in Kingsville, New Orleans, Louisiana; Jacksonville, Florida; and San Bruno, California) and the Dallas County Department of Public Works. His tenure with the Texas Highway Department involved the responsibility for design of Interstate Highways (I-37), and State Highway 286 (Crosstown Expressway). He was appointed Director of Public Works for Dallas County in 1981. During his twenty-year career with Dallas County, he was involved with county road bond projects totaling more than $500 million that improved the county thoroughfare system. Projects included many road and bridge improvements, along with the construction of the Dallas County Criminal Courts Building. During his final years at Dallas County, it is notable that the Public Works Department was located in the historic Texas School Book Depository. James directed the department from a fourth floor office situated directly under the infamous sixth floor window. He worked in the private sector for three years after retiring from Dallas County in 1992. In 1995 he officially retired and later settled in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he enjoyed time with his nephew Frank Bryan, his favorite hobby (sports betting), and daily talks with his brother-in-law Donald Waslif. He moved to Minneapolis in 2011 to be close to his son, grandchildren, and nephew John Waslif. He is survived by his son, James William Bryan Jr. and his wife, Laura (McCallum) Bryan, of Edina, Minnesota; grandchildren, Isabella Claire and Max William Bryan; step-grandson, Wyatt Miller; stepsons, Arnold and Stephen Bryan of Dallas; stepdaughter, Monica Barrera of Seattle, Washington; sisters, Florence May Bryan of Houston, Rose Marie Payne of Corpus Christi, Mary Dolores 'Dolly' Davis of Corpus Christi, Mary Louise Bryan of Fort Worth, Betty Jean Waslif of San Jose, California; sister-in-law, Margaret 'Peggy' (Montez) Bryan of Corpus Christi; many cousins, nieces, nephews and step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sarah Ann; brothers, Louis William Jr., Franklin Harold, Richard Allen and Robert Melvin; sister-in-law, Pauline (Rodriguez) Bryan; brothers-in-law, Jesse Payne, James 'Buck' Davis, and Donald Waslif; lastly, his beloved Golden Retriever and favorite jogging companion Goldie. James was a passionate and dedicated public servant who made an enormous contribution to the lives of his family, friends and colleagues. He will be greatly missed. Great appreciation is extended to Veterans Angels of Las Vegas, Nevada, for their devotion and assistance to his family. The family also gives heartfelt thanks to his professional caregivers at The Waters and Fairview Home Care and Hospice of Minneapolis-St. Paul, who served him with kindness, love and tremendous skill. James' memorial service will be held on Friday April 5, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church in Corpus Christi. Interment will follow the service at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery. He will be recognized for his service to our country with military honors. The family requests that all donations and memorials be directed to Fairview Hospice of the Twin Cities Foundation, 2344 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul, MN 55108, or visit online at www.fairview.org/giving/index.htm.