R. Cary Bynum

Richard Cary Bynum was born on March 15, 1937 in Atlanta, the first son of Judge Paul C. Bynum and Ethel Rutherford Bynum. He grew up in Kirkwood and became the Golden Gloves Light Heavy Weight Champion of Georgia. He played football for Murphy High and West Georgia College , but also played the role of Romeo, and got his B.A. in Theater from UGA. After a stint in the Army and acting on the local scene he was ready to head for New York City but happened one evening to see a young lady onstage for the first time and phoned her the next morning to ask her to marry him. She demurred briefly, but this led to a marriage of 61 years which ended only with his death on November 30,2025. Their first act together began in Manhattan with a production of his full-length play "Hornblend" at the legendary Circle in the Square Theatre in Greenwich Village and ended ten years later when, after he became a successful editor on Madison Avenue in order to support his wife and two young sons and got a Master's Degree from Hunter College, they moved back to Atlanta to have their boys grow up around family and trees.

He was the Founding Director of the award-winning Georgia State University Business Press and remained at GSU until his retirement at age 60 in 1997. During those years he and his wife Brenda had established The Southern Poets Theatre for which he wrote and directed "Cabbagetown: 3 Women" which was performed all over Georgia and the southeast for over 20 years with the original cast, filmed for television by PBS, and nominated for an Emmy.

He continued to write and published seven collections of his work , including his most-produced plays, short stories , and three books of poetry (Night Streetcars, Sea Vigil, and The Chinaberry Tree).

He was a loving and dedicated father - reading bedtime stories, performing magic tricks for birthday parties, coaching or attending countless soccer games, directing school plays - and was a firm believer in sitting down to supper every night with the family. When Brenda retired in 2000 they traveled everywhere from Moscow to Cairo, slept in all 50 states, and loved sitting on the screened porch for hours together watching hummingbirds. Finally, becoming Poppop to two precious grandsons made his world complete.

Cary is survived by his wife Brenda, sons Brennon and Quin (Katherine), and grandsons Royce and Whit, as well as by his brother David (Sandra) and family.

Cary's professional papers are in the collection of the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library at UGA to which a donation would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.

VISITATION, Sunday, Dec.7, Noon-4 PM, Turner's Funeral Home, 2773 No.Decatur Rd.

Bynum, R. Cary