Maxey Lee Bryant

Maxey Lee Bryant died peacefully at home after a long battle showing an incredible example of resilience and strength living life with Parkinson's disease for over 2 decades. He was born November 26, 1933, and just celebrated his 91st birthday with his favorite foods, close family, friends and caregivers that loved him.
He is survived by his older brother John "Fletcher" Bryant, and his 2 daughters Elizabeth Hamilton Skolnick, her two children John Hunter Skolnick, Taylor Elizabeth Skolnick, Anne Peyton Bryant and her son Berke Catak, and his beloved yorkie pooh, D-O-G.
He is predeceased by his mother and father, both from Norfolk, Mildred Maxey Bryant and John Fletcher Bryant, as well as the loss of his first child Nancy Leigh Bryant and her son John Robert Riggs, and son in law Jeffrey Frank Skolnick.
Maxey was born and raised in Colonial Place Norfolk, Virginia and graduated in 1952 from Maury High School. He was a natural athlete and played baseball, basketball, and tennis while attending Virginia Tech and graduated from the school of engineering in 1956.
Maxey also got a Pilot's license from Pensacola flight school 1957, and joined and served in the Naval reserves, retiring as a Commander in 1976. He then pursued an Engineering Career with the Atlantic Division of naval facilities Engineering Command as a planning and Project Manager and ended his career as Head of Facilities Management at the Naval Air Station Norfolk retiring in 1988.
Throughout his life he was an avid tennis player winning many titles in the city, hence his license plate USTA 44, representing his ranking of 44th in the country after traveling the world and playing USTA tournaments. He enjoyed golfing at Princess Anne Country Club where he spent most of his retirement time golfing, until he was diagnosed. It changed his quality of life tremendously. However, he still had immense pleasure hearing about his kids and grandkids loving tennis and golf and anytime we returned from the course or the court his first question was "how did you hit them?" He also loved being on the water fishing while playing his favorite songs.
This journey would have ended much sooner without the 24/7 care we have had for many years. I cannot thank the "Maxey's Angels" team (Christian, Connie, Kristina, Jierma) just to name a few. They assisted in getting him to the gym, taking him boating, golfing, fixing fabulous meals and making his life worth fighting for.
In addition, the guidance of the hospice team at Westminster Canterbury was incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. Thank you so much for everything.
The family will receive friends on Friday, December 20, 2024 from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm in H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Rd Chapel, followed by a graveside service at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk at 2:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Achievable Dreams Tennis Academy or the charity of your choice.