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John Bryans Obituary
Wattles
Jan 28, 1936 - Apr 1, 2010
Preceded in death by wife, Martha C. Bryans. Survived by daughter, Kyle Bryans-Batten (Eric) of South Carolina; sons: Kirk Bryans (Jenny) of London, England, Tobin Bryans (Jeanette Desser) of Texas; grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Karly, Marisa, Blake and Annemarie; brother, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Wally Bryans and wife Nina; sister, Pegi Georgeson and husband John; special friend, Linda Cahill.
SERVICES Thursday, 1:30pm, Countryside Community Church, 8787 Pacific. Interment, Forest Lawn Memorial Park with military rites by Benson VFW Post 2503. Memorials to Suburban Rotary Charitable Foundation. The family will receive friends Wednesday, 5pm-8pm at the West Center Chapel. HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN
DWORAK-CUTLER
WEST CENTER CHAPEL
78th & West Center 391-3900
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Bryans
April 15, 2010
Your father was a great person. We will miss him dearly at our Millard Rotary group on Mondays. Jack always had a kind word. Cindy Forehead
Ander Frost
April 13, 2010
Coach Bryans was my wrestling coach when I was attending Oakdale Elementary School when he formed the District 66 Wrestling Team. I also had the good fortune of living across the street from the Bryans family.
Coach Bryans taught us all so many of life's important lessons and had anough patience to put up with our crap. What a wonderful guy. His generous contributions to my life and that of so many others is considerable. He will be dearly missed.
My sincerest condolences to Kyle, Kirk, Toby and the family.
Art & Linda Galloway
April 12, 2010
We thank Jack's family for sharing their Dad with so many boys & their families for so many years. During the 70's, it was practice on Tuesday, Thursday, tournaments on Saturday & meets on Sunday at Mary Our Queen Church. He was always there with his Levis on & his blue polo shirt. He always had a hug for the boys after a hard fought match.
Kyle Bryans
April 10, 2010
Our thanks to all who loved and knew our father, coach, and friend--Jack Bryans--the outpouring of love and sympathy has been a great comfort to his family, and all who knew him. Please don't cry too much, but remember him with joy and love, as we will--Kyle Kirk Tobin Bryans and family
Connie Noyes
April 9, 2010
My thoughts & prayers are with the family. I know Jack will be greatly missed by many (especially the youth of wrestling). Remember the good times.
Al Cole
April 8, 2010
Sorry about Jack, such a nice man. Met him thru Linda C, What a couple, having so much fun.
Al and Romaine
Craig Hellwege
April 8, 2010
To the family of Jack Bryans,
We are all going to really miss Jack at the State Games. He was a true blessing to the wrestling community. I have had many enjoyable times and visits with Jack over the pass 25 years. His love for wrestling is unmatched. He enjoyed doing it, coaching it, and watching it. It was his wrestling participation later in life than made him standout the most to me. I can recall of only one other wrestler past the age of 50 who has participated in wrestling at the State Games and he only did it just once. Jack did it many times. Most of the guys he wrestled against in the State Games were 20 to 30 years younger than him. His last two matches at the 2000 State Games had me very concerned to say the least. I know he did little to no training to put that seventh decade of wrestling participation on his list of accomplishments. I was extremely relieved to say the least to see Jack get up and walk to the center of the mat for that final handshake.
I was happy that Jack made it to the State Games 25th Celebration last July that recognized the past athletes of the year. I had a very nice chat with Jack but didn’t know at the time it would be my last one with him. It is certainly not going to be the same without him. Thanks for all the wonderful memories.
Craig Hellwege
CSG Wrestling Director
Nancy & Bob McCaig
April 8, 2010
We send our love and prayers to the Bryans family in memory of Jack Bryans, so well-loved by all. We knew him as a beloved "Poppy" to his grand-daughters and a hero to son Kirk and a loving father-in-law to Jenny. So, our hearts are with you these days and we hope you find strength and joy in these expressions of sympathy. (From Jenny's sister)
Coach Jack Bryans and Keaton
Keaton/Curt/Rhonda Harrison
April 7, 2010
Dear Linda and The Bryans Family The World has to say goodbye to a wonderful man, but his legacy will live on in all of us!Our son Keaton loved Coach Jack so Much he couldn't wait for wrestling season to start!God has a special Wrestling Mat for him to coach and wrestle on in Heaven!!!!! Jack will be greatly missed!
Beth Ondra
April 7, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in this time of sadness. I hope all our memories of Uncle Jack will bring us comfort. I can hear him laughing and telling his stories. I will miss his comforting booming voice. It is a great loss for many.. All my love.. Bethi
April 7, 2010
"Death is not extinguishing the flame; it is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come."
Rabindranath Tagore
Tom O'Meara and family
April 7, 2010
Dear Bryans family, your father's legacy lives in you every day, along with your mother's legacy as well. Growing up with Kirk meant being raised by both his parents as well my own. I count myself as one of the fortunate many to have been nurtured by both of their lives. God bless.
Bernie Sekula
April 6, 2010
We were very saddened to hear of the loss of Kirk's dad, Jack Bryans. Our love and condolescences to Kirk, Jenny, the girls and all of the other members of the Bryans Family. We pray for his eternal rest and his heavenly reward. Love - Bernie & Donna Sekula (Glen Gardner, NJ)
Justin And Kellee Burgett
April 6, 2010
We have had the pleasure of knowing Coach Jack for the past 2 years as he taught our son Dawson through Westside 66'ers. He loved teaching those kids so much. My husband and I have so much respect for him. Because of Coach Jack, our son never gave up and gained alot of self confidence . We are going to miss you so much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.
Gene and JoEllyn Anderson
April 6, 2010
Jack taught his wrestlers so much more than merely wrestling. He taught them how to be good students, fine men, responsible and respectful. He also taught our son how to be a great coach himself.
Practices and matches were always highly anticipated. Justin also loved coaching with Jack in high school and taught him the other side of the sport with great success.
When his little guys were messing up, Jack never disciplined or yelled at them. He always said, "God love 'em!"
With a heavy heart, we say "God bless you and love you too."
Chanel Evans
April 6, 2010
No words can express how my son and I fee about Coach Jack. This was my son's first year wrestling with Jack. Luis enjoyed working with him. Luis always said that he liked Jack better than any other coach that he worked with. I enjoyed Jack for his honesty and his direct approach. He will be missed dearly.
Dan Nesbitt
April 6, 2010
From Dan Nesbitt- I have 2 sons, Ryan 17, and Jesse 15. Both wrestled for the 66ers fron age 5 to 12. Jack was somebody they and I looked up to and respected. Jack will be missed. God bless!!
Larry and Pauline
April 5, 2010
To Jack's family, Pegi and Lin,
So very sorry to hear of the passing of Jack, will miss him at the Tuesday night lessons. May God comfort you in this time of a great loss with wonderful memories. Our deepest sympathy.
Joel Shaw
April 5, 2010
Jack was my son, Jordan's Wrestling coach from what Jack called his "Teenie weenie's", a 6 year old no bigger than a minute to Junior high age. He taught him more than just wrestling. He taught sportsmanship and how to be a good person to all his wrestlers. He loved every young man that ever wrestled for him and it kept him young. He could do more fingertip pushups than anyone in the room and was as tough as they come but had a heart of gold. He will truly be missed.
Tara Dahlem
April 5, 2010
This was my sons first year wrestling and I am so glad we decided to go with the 66ers wrestling program. Meeting Coach Jack was one of the best things to happen to our son and better yet, to us as well. We spent many weekends with him, watching him do what he loved. We will miss you Coach Jack! You were a great Coach and will be deeply missed.
April 5, 2010
Jack, First Platoon, All The Way. You will be in my thoughts.
Candidate Al Brito
nicole perry
April 5, 2010
Coach Jack was one of a kind... we only knew him for a short period, but it was a life changing relationship for my son. This was his first year wrestling and I'm glad that he learned from Coach...My deepest sympathy to the family..
April 4, 2010
Enjoyed knowing Jack and Martha and being the pediatrician to their children. Jack was a champion wrestler in College and for many years after in tournaments. He also was a great coach for many Omaha boys. He was always enthusiastic in his work and play and will be missed by so many.
Condolences to his family.
Otto G. Rath M.D. Green Valley, Az.
Ira Shapiro
April 4, 2010
Kirk, on behalf of me, Karla, Sara & Sam, we send our heartfelt condolences to your whole family for the loss of your Hero, mentor & Father. The Jack Bryans stories were always filled with feats larger than life. We hope you are comforted by all the wonderful memories you'll carry for the rest of your life. Our sympathies & love, ims
Curtis Kirby
April 4, 2010
My condolences to Jack and his family. I have not seen Jack since we graduated from OCS in 1960 and was eagerly looking forward to seeing him at the reunion next week.May he rest in peace and we will share a moment for him.
April 4, 2010
Jack Bryans was definitely one of a kind. I went to the state high school wrestling tournament in February and can't help wondering if he was there. I should have made a point to find out and taken even a few minutes to say hello and catch-up on him and his children. A definite loss for the whole community.
Kate Andrews McConnell
April 4, 2010
My Mom worked for Jack at the insurance agency for many years. What a character is was and a great friend to our family. A wonderful man who will be missed by so many.
Andrew Bringuel
April 4, 2010
Jack and I go back to Officer Candidate School (OCS) in 1959-60. About half way through the course Jack and I shared a room. We had lots of time to talk about "Tomorrow" and what we wanted to do. The last time I saw Jack was at our OCS Class reunion a few years back. In fact that was the first time I saw Jack since OCS. It is Funny how fate falls upon us. Jack said he lived in Omaha and I respond with an "Oh, what a small, small world we live in. I attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1970. In fact I completed my bachelor’s degree there."
Jack will be missed dearly at our next OCS reunion next week. However, we all know Jack is at peace and praying for all of us. God has spared me 7 times so I pray a lot. I have added Jack and family to my Prayer List. May God give strength and understanding to all those Jack leaves today.
Very Sincerely,
Candidate Andy Bringuel
Don Watters
April 4, 2010
A note of sorrow from a wrestling student of Jack's and his father.
Lisa B
April 4, 2010
Jack coached my son, Zachary, in wrestling for 10 years starting in 2000. What started as a 'one-time' visit to watch a practice with one of his kindergarten friends, turned into what will be a life-long love of the sport. We had hoped our youngest son would start next year with Jack. My family will truly miss this wonderful, gruff man who loved teaching children (and the parents) what it meant to work hard and show respect for others.
Bob Edmonds
April 3, 2010
Very sorry to hear of the loss of Jack. He was a great ambassador of the sport of wrestling and helped many throughout the years. He will be missed.
Rich Gilloon
April 3, 2010
Jack loved wrestling, especially kids' wrestling, more than anyone I ever knew. I met Jack working out for the Cornhusker State Games in the 1990s, and we watched a number of college and high school meets together. At every meet or tourney we went to, young men and older men would say "Hi Coach!" or "Hi Jack!", and give him a hug or a handshake. He was a great influence on the thousands of lives he touched through wrestling. We will all miss him.
Sincerely,
April 2, 2010
I have known Jack since 1986, mostly thru Suburban Rotary, which I am a member, along with Jack. My memory of Jack, he was always firm in his convictions; he was always respectful; and he comanded the respect of others. I will miss Jack, along with his many other friends.
Mike Eck
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