Dale Eugene “Poncho” Bryant, Jr.
April 23rd, 1953 - August 29th, 2023
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Poncho's Obituary
Dale Eugene Bryant, Jr., known lovingly to family and friends as “Poncho,” passed to his eternal home on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Dale was born April 23, 1953 and attended Decatur Schools, graduating in 1971.
A celebration of Dale’s life will be held at 12pm, Saturday, September 2, 2023, with one hour of visiting time prior to the service, at Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur. Interment with military rites to follow at Harrison Cemetery, Decatur.
Dale enlisted in the Marines in 1972 for two years, and re-enlisted in 1974. Dale was honorably discharged, obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant, on October 28, 1978. While in the Marines, he completed the Airborne Course and was awarded wings as a parachutist. He also completed Amphibious Training, US Naval School of Morse Code, and Ground Radio Repair/Marine Corps Communication-Electronics Schools. Dale was also awarded rifle expert and pistol sharpshooter badges. He was a member of the 100 Mile Club, having run a cumulative 100 miles as part of the physical fitness program.
Upon his return to Michigan and using his GI Bill, Dale completed a degree in nursing at Southwestern Michigan College and spent the next 26 years caring for veterans at the Battle Creek VA, the VA Outpatient Clinic in Grand Rapids and the Benton Harbor Community Based Clinic.
Dale enjoyed the outdoors, starting early fishing and hunting small game with his father, and as an adult hunting with a compound bow. He also enjoyed golfing. Dale completed a pilot course at the Dowagiac Airport and completed his first solo flight. He had an interest in experimental aircraft and flew both a fixed-wing craft and a powered parachute. His rainbow-colored parachute could often be seen flying over and around Decatur.
He was a life-long member of the First Church of God in Decatur. His great grandparents, Louis and Cora Goens were among the founding families of the church. Dale served the church as a board member, elder, Sunday school teacher and choir member. Later, as his mobility was challenged, he taught a Bible study in his living room every week.
Dale was known as a person of integrity who loved the Lord first and foremost and went out of his way to serve his fellow man.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa Bryant of Decatur; his sons, Aaron Bryant of ME, Joshua (Miranda) Bryant and Daniel Price of Decatur, and Caleb (Raquel) Bryant of Grand Rapids, MI; his sister, Ferlonda Evans, and brother, Rick Bryant of Decatur, and Jerry (Gwen) Bryant of Edmund, OK; twelve grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Nellie Gothard; his mother, Joan White; his father, Dale Bryant, Sr.; his step-father, Tom White; his sisters, Julie and Dianna Bryant; his niece, Tamika Bryant; and his nephew, Abram Evans; and his beloved aunt, Marylou Mallory.
A celebration of Dale’s life will be held at 12pm, Saturday, September 2, 2023, with one hour of visiting time prior to the service, at Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur. Interment with military rites to follow at Harrison Cemetery, Decatur.
Dale enlisted in the Marines in 1972 for two years, and re-enlisted in 1974. Dale was honorably discharged, obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant, on October 28, 1978. While in the Marines, he completed the Airborne Course and was awarded wings as a parachutist. He also completed Amphibious Training, US Naval School of Morse Code, and Ground Radio Repair/Marine Corps Communication-Electronics Schools. Dale was also awarded rifle expert and pistol sharpshooter badges. He was a member of the 100 Mile Club, having run a cumulative 100 miles as part of the physical fitness program.
Upon his return to Michigan and using his GI Bill, Dale completed a degree in nursing at Southwestern Michigan College and spent the next 26 years caring for veterans at the Battle Creek VA, the VA Outpatient Clinic in Grand Rapids and the Benton Harbor Community Based Clinic.
Dale enjoyed the outdoors, starting early fishing and hunting small game with his father, and as an adult hunting with a compound bow. He also enjoyed golfing. Dale completed a pilot course at the Dowagiac Airport and completed his first solo flight. He had an interest in experimental aircraft and flew both a fixed-wing craft and a powered parachute. His rainbow-colored parachute could often be seen flying over and around Decatur.
He was a life-long member of the First Church of God in Decatur. His great grandparents, Louis and Cora Goens were among the founding families of the church. Dale served the church as a board member, elder, Sunday school teacher and choir member. Later, as his mobility was challenged, he taught a Bible study in his living room every week.
Dale was known as a person of integrity who loved the Lord first and foremost and went out of his way to serve his fellow man.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa Bryant of Decatur; his sons, Aaron Bryant of ME, Joshua (Miranda) Bryant and Daniel Price of Decatur, and Caleb (Raquel) Bryant of Grand Rapids, MI; his sister, Ferlonda Evans, and brother, Rick Bryant of Decatur, and Jerry (Gwen) Bryant of Edmund, OK; twelve grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Nellie Gothard; his mother, Joan White; his father, Dale Bryant, Sr.; his step-father, Tom White; his sisters, Julie and Dianna Bryant; his niece, Tamika Bryant; and his nephew, Abram Evans; and his beloved aunt, Marylou Mallory.
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