Obituary of Jefferey James Bryant

JEFFEREY JAMES BRYANT, our big teddy bear, left this world behind on Sunday, October 23, after suffering a heart attack a week before. He was born February 1, 1972, in Salt Lake City, to parents, now deceased, Jimmie Lee Bryant and Sharon Ann Jenkins-Bryant. Jeff attended Granger High School, worked many years as a carpet installer and, most recently, trained as a meat cutter at Reams, where he thoroughly enjoyed his work and his co-workers’ friendship. He loved concerts, and had a wicked sense of humor! In the last three-plus years, Jeff made a new life with his fiancée, Amy Stueben Junkins, her two sons, Mikey and Tyson, and other family members, enjoying being Grandpa, son and friend. He assumed the role of father to our boys with gratitude, driving to and from school and events, participating in field trips, making dinners, tossing a ball around and, sometimes, just chilling with a movie. The boys, who lost their father tragically six years ago, welcomed the love Jeff expressed in word and deed. Jeff loved his and Amy’s early morning Yahtzee games over coffee—this will be so missed! Jeff is survived by Amy, Mikey, Tyson, “Mom” Debbie “Dad” John and good friend, KC, as well as son Jakup Bryant, stepdaughter Chanel Strickland, and their mother, Shanna Pace Bryant. Also, his sisters, Lynette Bryant Bowers, Jill Bryant Shipley (Wayne) and DeAnna Harward (Shawn Johnson), as well as several nieces and nephews. We wish to give our fervent thanks to the CICU staff at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, and the Organ Donor team, Ryan and Stacey, all of whom treated Jeff and his family with exceptional respect, caring, and skill. It made this otherwise unbearable experience a more-gentle transition; the comfort it gave us is immeasurable. Jeff, we will miss your smile, your laugh, your bright blue eyes, your corny jokes, and your bear hugs. Godspeed!