BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BRYAN, II

January 1, 1924 - July 21, 2021

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Benjamin's Obituary

Ben was born on January 1, 1924 in Moore, Oklahoma as one of nine children (Francis, Glenn, Olive, Emma, Jim, Midge, Ben, JoAnne, and Cliff) to Benjamin and Myrtle Bryan. He was proud to have served in the United States Navy as a machinist mate 2^nd class during World War II. After being discharged from the Navy in 1945, Ben met and eventually married the love of his life and wife of more than 70 years, Joyce Marie Gardner, on December 4, 1948. Ben and Joyce raised six children (Debbie, Rhonda, Ben, Paul, Joe and Barbara) on five acres of land in northeast Oklahoma City. Ben always worked hard and provided for his family by working as a Union plasterer until he retired at the age of 62.

Ben enjoyed the fruits of his labor by farming and gardening with his wife well into their seventies. Their children, grandchildren, and even some great-grandchildren have fond memories of working in the garden, walking the property picking berries and snapping green beans. There was something about grandpa’s garden that made grandma’s cooking extra special. Ben and Joyce always enjoyed getting together with family on their many trips to Idaho, California, Kansas and Texas throughout the years. Ben always enjoyed having a house full, especially during the holidays when many of his family and friends would come to celebrate. Just remember, you can line up, but don’t make your plate until grandpa has said the prayer and grandma has made his plate first.

Ben was loving but stern, fair but strict, gentle but forceful, forgiving but a disciplinarian, adventurous but cautious, had a sense of humor but serious, generous but maybe just a little cheap. He never threw anything away and always tried to reuse everything. Who knows how many rolls of duct tape he went through keeping his house shoes together? He enjoyed telling stories of his younger days, hopping trains, and hitch-hiking to California, his time on the ship during the war, and all the good times he had with his beautiful wife, even about the time he ate her breakfast just after giving birth to their first child. Most of all, he enjoyed talking about the Bible and his unwavering love of God. His faith not only gave him the strength to face the end of this life without fear but also gave him the comfort that as his eternal life begins, he will be reunited with his patiently waiting wife and loved ones that have gone before him.

Ben died naturally and peacefully in his home surrounded by family on July 21, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, eight siblings, wife Joyce, granddaughter Christy, and great-grandson William. He is survived by his six children and their spouses, close to fifty grandchildren and great‑grandchildren as well as numerous extended family and close friends.

Funeral services will be held at Village Baptist Church on July 26, 2021 at 10:00 A.M., with burial to follow at Britton Cemetery in Oklahoma City.