Ronald Howard Bryan

Ronnie was born at All Saints Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas to parents Charles William (Bill) Bryan and Ora Loiese (Smith) Bryan. He grew up in North Richland Hills and Hurst, Texas graduating from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas in 1977. He attended college at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, studying Civil Engineering.
Ronnie spent most of his early years visiting Colorado during the summer. This included visiting relatives and helping his parents run a Souvenir Store in Silverton, Colorado. This created a lifetime fondness for the area. So much so, that Ronnie's cremated remains will be interred at an old family plot in Silverton's Hillside Cemetery.
Ronnie worked the majority of his life in the steel fabrication and steel erection industry. He worked for RED-I-STEEL, Inc. as Vice President, and Estimator. Previous employers include WEEBE Industries, Inc., and Walker Fabrication, Inc. Ronnie spent more than eleven years taking care of his mother during her final years.
Throughout his life, Ronnie had a real desire, and talent, to write poetry. Ronnie wrote several pieces for family member's eulogies, and actually wrote music and an epitaph for his own memorial. Ronnie cared deeply for people and made friends easily.
The last several years of his life he was plagued with back pain and medical issues that gradually forced him to rely on a walker, and ultimately a wheelchair. Even then he would be out and about driving his wheelchair over public streets to shop, eat or go visit friends.
Ronnie was survived by his brother Bobby Bryan and his wife Kathy Bryan, and brother-in-law Duane Lee; three nieces, Nicole Bryan and her family, Kristine Bryan and her family, and Denise Capps and her family; and one nephew, David Lee and family; and a host of friends and other relatives.
Ronnie was pre-deceased by his parents, Bill and Loiese Bryan, two sisters, Glenda Bryan and Donna Lee. Ronnie asked that any memorials, be made to either the American Diabetes Association, or Catholic Charities of Fort Worth.
Epitaph
"Life goes on," is what I said so many times before.
Now I'm gone from your presence, to life on another shore.
Grieve not for me, most valued friends, for peace is mine today.
Let the sorrow leave your hearts, remembering our yesterdays.
Yes, life goes on, and when remembering me, may it always bring a grin.
For happiness is what I wish for you, until we meet again.
By Ronald Bryan
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Long, Drawn-Out Departing
By Ronald Bryan
When you meet someone very special, and ties begin to grow,
though it need not entail love, just a special friend you know.
Too few words are spoken while that person is still there.
But when that long, drawn-out departing comes,
you want that friend to know you care.
(Chorus) Yes, good-byes are often too drawn-out. The pain too much to bear.
We say, "I wish you didn't have to leave," but then reality is still there.
If we'd just hug their neck, say good-bye, wish them luck, then leave,
you know, the pain would end much sooner, and the tears would be relieved.
But now my heart is saddened, you see, a friend has now to go.
And the words I long to say to him will not my tears control.
You see, he's been a friend – both strong and true,
too many words I long to say.
And to have to let this dear friend go, seems more than my heart can take.
You see, I love you, my dear, dear friend. I wish you love and peace.
May my memories of you never die, but serve to give you strength.
You've filled my days with happiness, and though my heart's filled with despair,
I want you to know, my dear, dear friend that I will always care.