J. Forrest Bryant, Associate Dean Emeritus of Austin College, passed away Friday, October 16, 2009 at Wilson N. Jones Hospital in Sherman, Texas. He and his family observed his 97th birthday on this past Monday.

Forrest was born October 12, 1912 in Pilot Point, Texas to Joe H. and Ethel Saunders Bryant. He graduated from Austin College in 1941 with a B. A. in biology. His M.S. was earned at North Texas State University which was followed by advanced graduate study at the University of Texas. During World War II he served his country in the United States Army Service Forces from 1942 to 1945 as a Civilian Supervisor at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Following the war he returned to teach at Sherman High School where he was chairman of the Science Department.

His career at Austin College began in 1948 as Associate Professor of Biology, and he later became Registrar and Associate Dean of the college. During his tenure at Austin College he served as Secretary for the Presbyterian Education Association of the South and Secretary for the Texas Association of College Registrars and Admission Officers. In honor of his retirement in 1977 he received the Homer P. Rainey Award for Outstanding Achievement and Service to Austin College. In 1997 he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Austin College.

Forrest was active in the community as a Little League coach and a Boy Scout Merit Badge counselor in addition to serving on the boards of the Red River Museum and the American Red Cross. He was a 75 year Mason and a charter member of the Andrew Randall Masonic Lodge #1342. He served in many leadership positions, and as Grand Master, directed the construction of the new lodge building on South Crockett Street in Sherman.

He was a long time member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, serving on the Building and Education Committees as well as many others through the years. He was elected to the position of Deacon and later to the office of Ruling Elder and Vice Moderator of the Session.

In June of 1942 he married Joyce Wilson, who preceded him in death in January 2002 after 59 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Winston Bryant, of California.

Forrest is survived by his sister, Florene Bryant Watson, of Dallas, three sons; Stephen Forrest Bryant and wife Carolyn of Granbury, Timothy Lee Bryant and wife Connie of Austin, Mark Alan Bryant and wife Kathy of Texarkana, Arkansas. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren; Laura Bryant Ebener and husband Dr. Robert of Jacksonville Florida, Jamie Bryant and wife Kacey of Spring, Amy Bryant Jaska and husband Joe of Sherman, Brad Bryant and wife Amy of Fredericksburg, Dr. Shelly Bryant Thannum and husband Michael of Collierville, Tennessee, Kevin Bryant and wife Amanda of Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is also survived by seven great grandchildren who were a special delight to him in his later years.

The funeral service will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 10 A. M. with burial following in West Hill Cemetery in Sherman. Pastor Neil Morgan will officiate. Visitation will be at Waldo Funeral Home on Sunday afternoon October 18 from 2:00 P. M. until 4:00 P. M. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Home Hospice of Sherman or the Joyce Wilson and J. Forrest Bryant Endowed Academic Achievement Scholarship at Austin College.