JOHN WILLIAM BRYAN Jr.

1964 - 2017

Larger than life: there is perhaps no better way to describe John William Bryan, Jr., 52, of Louisburg, Kansas. John died Wednesday, April 12, 2017, at St. Luke's Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri, following a massive stroke. John was born August 1, 1964, in Quincy, Illinois. He graduated in 1982 from Shawnee Mission South High School and earned a B A degree in economics in 1989 from The University of Missouri- Columbia. He married Alice Govert on March 17, 1997, in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. As an avid home brewer and craft beer lover, John was so excited when Boulevard Brewing Company opened that he took a job as a truck driver and part- time salesman with the brewery to get his foot in the door. His enthusiasm, dedication and strong work ethic earned him success with the company. He eventually rose to direct the Artisanal Division and was a driving creative force in launching the brand's popular Smokestack Series. After 17 years with Boulevard, John took a job with Firestone Walker Brewing Company of Paso Robles, California, and was the company's Central Territory Sales Director. Both roles meant extensive travel to beer festivals and other events around the country and John made friends everywhere he went. Those friends remember him for his passion for beer, hearty laugh, and wry sense of humor, but most of all for his overwhelming generosity. John had an amazing lust for life and shared it with all he met. He enjoyed grilling, throwing darts, and cruising around in his '67 Cadillac convertible, and he always had a crew of friends along for the ride. Being such a sociable man, it's understandable that he would meet the love of his life at a party - that is indeed where John first met Alice Govert on St. Patrick's Day 28 years ago. The couple married on the same day, eight years later. Together they raised daughter, Audrey Lee "Drew" Bryan and son, John "Jack" William Bryan III, who were John's greatest sources of pride and joy. In addition to his wife and children, John is survived by his mother, Sondra Gilmore, and her husband, Jim, of Louisburg, Kansas; his father, John William Bryan, and his wife, Linda, of Satellite Beach, Florida; his sister, Shannon Bryan, also of Louisburg; and step-sisters, Angie Witt, and her husband, Gary of Kansas City and Shelley LaRose Arken, her husband, Larry and their children Dylan and Jacqueline of Greenlawn, New York. A private memorial service for John's family will be held April 22. A celebration of John's life is planned at Boulevard Brewing Company on May 13, at 2 p.m. for all who loved him. The Cremation Society of Kansas and Missouri is handling arrangements - www.kccremation.com. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the Bryan Children College fund; c/o Alice Govert Bryan, P.O Box 173, Louisburg, Kansas 66053.