Max Bryant

Sherman- A memorial service for James Max Bryant will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday November 26, 2011 at the First Baptist Church of Sherman. Dr. Mike Lawson, Rev. Larry Rice and Rev. Scott Wiley (Mr. Bryant's son-in-law) will officiate. The family will receive friends at a reception at the church immediately following the service. Private family services will be held at West Hill Cemetery with Carter Wiley, Chase Wiley, Ben Bailey, Weldon Simons, C.W. Simons, and Alton Cox serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are George Everett, Ray Ridings, Dr. Jack Noble, Elwood McElveen, Wilton McKelvey, Dr. Jerry Anderson, Bob West, Tom Wilson, and Dr. Tom Boothe. Mr. Bryant, 78, passed away Wednesday November 23 at Texas Health Presbyterian-WNJ Medical Center.

Max was born October 18, 1933 in Frankell, Texas to the late James and Bennie (Satterwhite) Bryant. He graduated from Breckenridge High School in Breckenridge, Texas and attended McMurry College and Hardin Simmons College in Abilene where he played trombone in the Cowboy Band. He also played the trombone in the United States Army Band in Panama during the Korean Conflict.

On August 28, 1956 Max married Janice Simons of Jacksboro Texas. Max graduated with a B.A. from North Texas State University (University of North Texas) in 1958 and he and Janice moved to Sherman that same year. Mr. Bryant opened his own accounting firm in 1964 which he continued to operate until his death. Always an active member in the community, Max was a member of the Sherman Rotary Club and served as President in 1984. He had been an active member of First Baptist Church since 1958 where he served as Chairman of Deacons and faithfully led the Adult 1 Sunday School department as well as sang in the sanctuary choir. For many years his free time was spent playing tennis with his friends and working in his yard. One of his passions was writing and he enjoyed creating seasonal cards with poems to send to his many clients and friends. Max was also an animal lover with many beloved pets over the years.

Max is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janice of Sherman; two daughters, Allison Wiley and husband Scott of Tyler and Carrie Bailey and husband Shanan of Sherman; six grandchildren, Carter Wiley and wife Ginny, Kathryn Wiley, Chase Wiley, Kelsey Wiley, Sarah Beth Bailey, and Ben Bailey; one sister, Ludell Cox of Abilene, Texas; sister-in-law, Carolyn Kettle of Delray Beach, Florida; brother-in-law, Weldon Simons and his wife Leisa of Coppell, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew.

The family would like to thank those who cared for Max during his recent illness especially Dr. J. Michael Benson, Dr. Larry Barker, and Dr. Mary Hebert. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Music Ministry at 400 S. Travis Sherman, TX 75090 or Scottish Rite Children's Hospital at 2222 Welborn St, Dallas, TX 75219. The register book can be signed online at waldofuneralhome.com.