James Roger Bryant

MEREDITH --- James "Jim" Roger Bryant, 77, passed away on Friday, February 20, 2026, at Golden View Health Care Center, in Meredith, NH.

Jim was born on July 15, 1948, in Laconia, NH, the son of the late John W. Bryant Jr., and Laura Mae (Wilkins) Bryant. He grew up in Meredith and graduated from Inter-Lakes High School in 1966. Jim received his associate's degree in heating refrigeration and air conditioning from Manchester Community College. In July of 1969 Jim married Patricia Lacroix and they started their lifelong journey together.

Jim started his career as a teenager working for Herb Martin at the Texaco station. After college he worked for McDonalds Corp with his friend Gary Moulton; he then moved on and worked for Harvey Dutile in Laconia. After that he started his long career in the lumber industry. The company had two locations that he worked in, but many different names; (Prescott Lumber Co, Gerrity Bldg Ctr, Bradco, Wickes, and Middleton Lavalley) He had several different positions while working in the lumber industry from a store manager, truss shop foreman, heading up the millwork division, and then onto an inside contractor salesperson.

Many builders and contractors locally still speak of missing the opportunity to work with Jim on their projects. While his family was starting to grow, Jim had worked as a tractor trailer driver at night for Lang and Wallace as a second income to help provide for the family. He loved driving tractor trailer, and when he and Pat were juggling jobs and a young family it wouldn't be unusual to find that he had a passenger with him (essentially, he had another job "childcare" while he was on the road). He also did side private work including electrical, building construction, just about anything anyone needed done. Jim was always tinkering and loved to help anyone in need. He enjoyed being a people person and was very trustworthy. Jim

would always go above and beyond for his customers. He would often use his very own pick-up truck to deliver any supplies that customers needed if the deliveries were running late.

In addition to helping others that he knew personally, it was also very important for him to be of service to his community. As a young man Jim enlisted and is an Army Veteran. He was also a volunteer fire fighter for many years and enjoyed his time giving back to the community. He worked at the Plymouth Fire Station from 1971-1975, and Meredith Fire Station from 1976-1990 where he retired as the Assistant Chief. The fire department wasn't just a job or duty for Jim; it was a lifestyle. From helping to maintain equipment, to working on the facilities, to

organizing musters and cookouts, he also involved his family and considered those he served with as extended family on many occasions. There were numerous occasions to get together with the fire department family, Dinner Dances, Awards, Turkey Raffles, T-Shirt Sales, 4th of July on the Lawn, truly a family lifestyle. It wasn't unusual for a Bryant family gathering to quickly become a ½ empty table as Jack, Jim, and Roger dashed out to answer a call for someone in need.

He and his wife Patricia built their dream home together from the ground up in 1985. The two of them grew to love spending time with their horses at their home. They moved to Maine in 1991 for a simpler life where Jim continued to raise and take care of horses and ride his tractor.

Once his grandchildren had arrived, Jim and Pat moved back to New Hampshire to be closer to both new and senior members of the family.

Jim was an extremely hard worker and incredibly proud of his family. He passed the same hard-working traditions and ethics on to his children and grandchildren.

He was known as a "funny bastard," and loved being so. He had a quick wit and always had a unique saying to end a conversation. In his later years Jim enjoyed golfing very much, which inspired them to pack up and retire to the Villages in FL. Polishing his golfcart soon became a second hobby. Jim enjoyed singing karaoke, helping with Toast Masters, bowling leagues, and racquet ball. He was the kind of guy that could hang with any crowd with many identities; James, Jim, Slim, Rerun, George (barn name) and affectionally to Pat as Honey!

Jim is survived by his son Jason Bryant and his partner Suzy Fortier, of Laconia, NH; daughter Leslie Bryant and her wife Jennifer, of Canterbury, NH; sister Joanne Hawkins and her husband Roger; sister-in-law Donna Reidy; grandchildren Abigail Bryant, Benjamin Bryant, and Jonathan Bryant; nieces Michelle Martin, Denice Crane, Heidy Cammilleri, and several other nieces and nephews. Jim is also survived by his dear devoted cousin and lifelong friend Skip Greemore, who's kindness and caring to Jim in the most recent times was a beautiful tribute to

the bond they had. In addition to his parents, Jim is predeceased by his wife Patricia Elaine (Lacroix) Bryant and his brother John Bryant III.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Laconia Country Club on Sunday, March 15, 2026 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

A Processional and Graveside Service will be held this spring at Village Cemetery, Meredith, NH. Timing of those services will be announced later in the spring.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.