Donald Richard Bryant Jr.

Donald Richard Bryant Jr.

May 14, 1953 – Aug. 22, 2021

Donald Richard Bryant Jr. passed away in his home in Portland, Oregon, on August 22, 2021, at the age of 68.

Donald was the eldest son born on May 14, 1953, to Donald R. Bryant Sr. and Florence Mae (Parker) Bryant. After Donald’s dad died he had to help his mom take care of his brothers, so he started working when he was 8 years old. He continued to do so until he graduated from high school. 

After he graduated from high school in 1971, Donald joined the Navy Seabees and learned construction. While in the Navy, he met his first wife, Ruth Bassett. Donald and Ruth married in June of 1973. In June of 1974, they had their first daughter, Solatare Mae Bryant. When Donald finished serving his four years, he moved with his family, fully intending on stopping for a visit in Lovell. However, Don and Ruth decided that Lovell would be a great place to raise their kids. Once they settled in Lovell, their second daughter, Aurora Bryant, was born in April of 1976.

Don worked on the oil rigs in the early 80s until the oil business went bust. However, Donald made sure his family had everything they needed, often working odd jobs to make ends meet. Odd jobs are what got him through until he was able to get a job at the local bentonite plant, American Colloid, in Lovell. He worked for American Colloid for several years until he retired in 1998 due to his health.

When Ruth died in 2005, Donald moved to Oregon to live with his daughters. In 2009, he met his second wife, Katherine “Kay.”

Donald and Kay had a good life down on the Columbia River. Everyone knew him and always had something nice to say. Donald had a lot of friends at the moorage. He was always willing to talk if someone needed conversation and lend a helping hand if someone asked.

Donald is survived by his second wife of five years, Kay Fitzwater Bryant, of Portland; oldest daughter Solatare, her husband, Birges, and their children, Pryor Bryant, ZoeMae, Gaige and Suriah Patton, all of Vancouver, Washington; second daughter Aurora and her children, Audrya Owens and Donovan Owens of Vancouver, Abigayle Owens of Winnsboro, Lousiana, and Angylena Owens of Rock Port, Missouri; mother Florence Mae House of Washington Court House, Ohio; and brothers Michael and Tim Bryant, both of Bloomingburg, Ohio.

Donald was preceded in death by his father, Donald Richard Bryant Sr., and his first wife of 32 years, Ruth Bassett Bryant.

A celebration of his life will be held October 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lovell Community Center.