Obituary for James Hamilton Bryan Jr.
James H. “Jimmy” Bryan, Jr., 85, of Palatka, passed from this life on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at UF Health in Gainesville. A native and lifelong resident of Palatka, Jimmy graduated from Palatka High School in 1952 and attended the University of Florida. He worked at Georgia Pacific Paper Mill in the pulp and recovery area and then advanced as a lab technician, retiring in 1996 following 42 years of service. Jimmy served as a City Commissioner for the City of Palatka from 1974 – 1986. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Palatka. Jimmy was a life member of Elks Lodge BPOE Lodge #1232 as well as the Palatka Jaycees where he had been in charge of the Azalea Festival for several years. He had also been involved with Boy Scout Troop #236 and Troop #62. Jimmy was an avid Gator Booster and football fan as well as an avid bird hunter. Growing up, Jimmy loved spending the summers at the beach surf fishing and crabbing at Summerhaven.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James H. “Hank” Bryan, Sr. and Nellie E. Bryan.
Jimmy is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Jean Bryan of Palatka, his children, Jeri Eubanks (Brad) of Palatka, Jay Bryan (Cheryl) of Fernandina Beach, Jean Macedonia (“Mace”) of St. Augustine Beach and Jo Whitten (John) of Jacksonville, a sister, Nell Ferguson (Bill) of Huntsville, AL, 6 grandchildren, John Allen Eubanks (Joy), Nicole Owens (Brian), Joshua Bryan (Michelle), Kyle Bryan, Cheyenne Macedonia and Makayla Whitten and 4 great-grandchildren, Alison Eubanks, Jenna Eubanks, Traven Owens and Tinsley Owens.
Services celebrating Jimmy’s life will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, March 5, 2020 at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka with Rev. Cliff Lyda officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services at 11:00.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to the First Presbyterian Church building fund, 123 S. 2nd St., Palatka, FL 32177 or to Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, 380 Boys Ranch Road, Palatka, FL 32177.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Jimmy’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James H. “Hank” Bryan, Sr. and Nellie E. Bryan.
Jimmy is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Jean Bryan of Palatka, his children, Jeri Eubanks (Brad) of Palatka, Jay Bryan (Cheryl) of Fernandina Beach, Jean Macedonia (“Mace”) of St. Augustine Beach and Jo Whitten (John) of Jacksonville, a sister, Nell Ferguson (Bill) of Huntsville, AL, 6 grandchildren, John Allen Eubanks (Joy), Nicole Owens (Brian), Joshua Bryan (Michelle), Kyle Bryan, Cheyenne Macedonia and Makayla Whitten and 4 great-grandchildren, Alison Eubanks, Jenna Eubanks, Traven Owens and Tinsley Owens.
Services celebrating Jimmy’s life will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, March 5, 2020 at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka with Rev. Cliff Lyda officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services at 11:00.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to the First Presbyterian Church building fund, 123 S. 2nd St., Palatka, FL 32177 or to Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, 380 Boys Ranch Road, Palatka, FL 32177.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Jimmy’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.