Jim Ramsay Bryant

Jim Ramsay Bryant passed away on December 15, 2020 at his home in Linden, AZ from natural causes.

Jim was born on March 23, 1926 to Roy Tenney Bryant and Ada (Ramsay) Bryant in Snowflake AZ, and was the second oldest of five children. His siblings are Louis, Ruby, Hazel and George, who he loved dearly. He was always so happy to share Their growing up adventures with his children, grand children, nieces and nephews.

His family lived in Springerville for a few years and then moved back to Snowflake where he attended school. Jim was very athletic. He loved playing basketball and football. During his Senior year when the head coach transferred to another job and the school hired a new coach that was not as familiar with the rules and regulations of football, Jim helped to coach the team.

Jim married his high school sweetheart Valoe Butler the day before Thanksgiving on November 24,1944 in Holbrook, Az.  A few days later, He shipped out to England to fight in WWII, where he was with the 422 Bombardment Squadron, 305 Bomb Group. Jim was a Ball Turret Gunner and  due to the high altitudes that the planes had to fly during their missions, frost bite was a common and accepted issue. Jim was always backing up to the warmth of the wood stove during the winter months to get his bones warmed up and you never had to worry about being too cold when you were with him.

Jim was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and had many cherished opportunities to serve. One of his favorites was serving on the Show Low 4th of July Rodeo Committee for many many years where he gained so many life long friendships and extended family connections within our White Mountain communities. Jim held many other callings as well, such as Elders Quorum President, Sunday School President, Young Men’s President and was in the Branch Presidency of the Cibecue and Lupe Branches. He had a strong testimony and a servants heart. He loved God, his family and his Country and placed all before his own needs.

Jim was always a very hard worker and started his first paying job when he was 10 years old washing dishes at the local diner in Snowflake for $.10 cents a day. He then worked at the lookout tower at Chevlon Canyon, the State Highway Department, as well a truck driver hauling lumber. He spent most of his adult life working in the lumber industry which he loved, and taught his children how to find a good straight post for fencing, a solid tree for firewood, or how nice a bunk of lumber looked. However, the two things that Jim loved the most was the ranching cowboy life and working in his garden. He had such an appreciation of a job well done and seeing the rewards at the end of the day and the crops grow. You could always count on having the beauty of the Earth and God’s creations pointed out to you when you went on a ride with Jim, whether it was on horseback or in a pickup.  He had a way of always tying in a life lesson, you just had to be willing to listen.

After Valoe passed away in 2006, Jim made a personal commitment to attend the Snowflake LDS Temple every Saturday morning, usually accompanied by one, several or occasionally all of his children. These precious memories will be forever engrained in each of us and will continue to strengthen us in the times ahead.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Valoe, parents, infant daughter Beverly (stillborn) a son in law, three grand children and numerous extended family and friends.

Jim is survived by his sister Hazel Pearl Brimhall of Snowflake Az., his children - Dian Melendy (Clark - deceased) of Thatcher, AZ, Lynette (J.R.) Jones of Kanab, UT, Jimmy Dean (Annell) Bryant of Show Low, AZ, Tricia (Chuck) Duncan of Show Low, Az, Val (C.J.) Poglajen of Show Low, AZ. and Shannon  Bryant of Show Low, AZ. Jim and Valoe’s posterity has grown to 7 children and spouses, 40 grand children, 78 great grandchildren and 17 great great grand children, as well as many many nieces and nephews that Jim loved so very dearly.

Jim will be remembered for his many strengths, generous heart, loving demeanor and his sincere and heartfelt hugs that will be dearly missed by all who knew him and were fortunate enough to ever receive one.

Viewing will be held from 5:00-7:00 P.M. Sunday, December 27, 2020 at Owens Livingston Mortuary, 320 N. 9th Street, Show Low, AZ.  Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, December 28, 2020 at the Show Low City Cemetery, 260 E. Adams, Show Low, AZ.

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