Kelly Jay Bryant

Kelly Jay Bryant, 56, of Prairie Grove, Ark., passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at his home surrounded by family.

He was born Jan. 13, 1963, in Portales, N.M., the son of Harry Ray and Lura Coleen (Baldwin) Bryant. He had numerous accomplishments. He received his Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s of Science from the University of Arkansas in 1985 and 1987, and his Doctorate of Philosophy from Texas A&M University in 1991. He began his career as a professor and extension specialist at the University of Arkansas at Monticello in 1992 and served as the Dean of the School of Agriculture from 2004 to 2018. In 2018 he transferred to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville to serve as the Interim Department Head for the Agriculture Economics and Agribusiness Department. In all his years of academia, he loved working with students. His greatest accomplishments, though, lie in his five children, their spouses, and his three grandchildren. When complimented on his kids, he always replied that he was truly blessed with five wonderful children who all found great Christian spouses. His three grandchildren were the light of his life.

He was a great man of faith who served as deacon and elder at the Monticello Church of Christ and was a member of the Mt. Comfort Church of Christ in Fayetteville, Ark. He was married to the love of his life, Christine Thompson Bryant for 36 years. He truly was a child of God.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Ray Bryant; and his grandparents, C.O. and Myrtle Baldwin and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Elvin Bryant.

Survivors include his wife, Christine Bryant of the home; four sons and daughters-in-law, Chris and Leah Bryant of Monticello, Ark., Corey and Valerie Bryant of Leland, Miss., Kenny and Leann Bryant of Springdale, Ark., and Caleb and Tamzen Bryant also of Springdale; one daughter and son-inlaw, Kelsy and Zachary Robinson of Stillwater, Okla.; his mother, Coleen Bryant of Abileen, Texas; five brothers and sisters-inlaw Ray and Kathy Bryant, Wayne and Lisa Bryant, Gary and Donna Bryant, Bill and Cheri Bryant and Keith and Susan Bryant; one sister and brother-in-law, Trudy and Weldon Holden; three grandchildren, Harper, Beau and Felicity Bryant; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019, at the Monticello Church of Christ.

A second Memorial Service will be held at 5 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2019, at the Mt. Comfort Church of Christ, 3249 W. Mt. Comfort Road in Fayetteville. Interment will be in the Prairie Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Monticello Church of Christ Building Fund, P.O. Box 485, Monticello, AR 71657.

An online guest book is available at www.luginbuel.com.

Bryant