Obituary of Gary R. Bryant

Gary “Bear” Ray Bryant, age 74, of Oxford, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at the University of Iowa Hospital.

A Celebration of Life will be held March 8, 2026 from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. at the Oxford American Legion.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Oxford American Legion.

Born on December 7, 1951 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Bear was the son of Oscar and Helen (Meade) Bryant.  He attended Clear Creek-Amana High School.

Bear began his career as an over-the-road, owner/operator truck driver at the age of 16.  In 1990, he started a mobile tire repair business, eventually opening a shop in Homestead.  After several years in the tire business, Bear returned to trucking.  He “retired” two years ago but continued driving part-time until this January.

In his free time, Bear enjoyed playing cards, especially Euchre, gambling, and fishing.  He liked to attend tractor pulls, stock car races and horse pulls with his family. 

Bear’s family includes his special friend, Deborah Stratton of Oxford; his sons: Troy (Jenny) Bryant of Oxford and their children, Delaney and Berkley, Jeremy Bryant of Oxford, and Tyler Bryant of Cedar Rapid and his children: Adeline, McKenzie, and Tessa; eleven bonus grandchildren; siblings: Barbara (Clarence) Stennes, William “Bill” Bryant, Robert “Bob” (Barbara) Bryant, Mary Lou Young, and Elizabeth “Liz” Walker; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Edward “Eddie” Bryant; a sister-in-law, Sharon Bryant; and a brother-in-law, William “Bill” Young.