Eddie Brooks Bryan, Jr.

Eddie Brooks Bryan, Jr. of Savannah Lakes, died peacefully, Wednesday, January 24, 2024, on his 89^th birthday in Greenwood, SC.

A 1953 graduate of Greenwood High School, Eddie pursued higher education at Clemson University. He left Clemson after his freshman year to serve his country in the United States Air Force, enlisting in October 1954.  After completion of Pilot Training at Bryan Air Force Base in Bryan, Texas, Eddie was commissioned an Air Force Officer in February 1956.  For the next three years, Eddie flew B-47 Stratojets for the Strategic Air Command.  In February 1959, Captain Bryan was honorably discharged and returned to civilian life.

A true entrepreneur, Eddie thrived in the dry-cleaning business in Miami in the late 50’s, the laundry equipment business during the 60’s and early 70’s in Atlanta, and with True Value Hardware stores in Ocala, FL from the mid 70’s into the mid 90’s.  Employees described him as a respectful leader, a motivator, mentor and friend driven by his Christian values.

After raising four children with his first wife, Emily ‘Tootsie’ Bryan, traveling the world, fishing all over Florida and hunting throughout the SE and out West, Eddie retired in his early 60’s to return to his beloved SC.  He built a house on his favorite fishing lake, hunted on his grandfather’s 200 acres in Ninety-Six, SC and golfed minutes from his Savannah Lakes home at Tara, Monticello and Hickory Knob.  Eddie loved to be outside in nature and mostly enjoyed these passions with his large family and dear friends.  After losing his wife to cancer in 2001, Eddie found love again with Catherine Wilfong Stricker who quickly became Cathie Bryan.  With Cathie came another family for him to love and share his many passions and interests.  Eddie was active in his community, a member of the Lutheran Church by the Lake and equally supportive of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie Brooks Bryan, Sr. and Helen Sue Thompson Bryan; two sisters, Anne Collins and June Scott Nettles; and maternal grandmother, Emily Peerman, a special family member in the Bryan home lovingly called Nanna.

Eddie is survived by his wife of 20 years, Cathie Bryan; his sister, Barbara ‘Bobbie’ Heard (Billy); his children, Richard Stark (Suzanne), Guy Stark (Kathy), Genay Rancorn, Brooks Bryan, III (Sarah), Michael Bird (Shannon), Steven Stricker (Leo) and Dana Stricker; 15 grandchildren, Ceylese McGill, Justin Stark, Katelyn Kercher, Kelsey Lindrup, Jack Rancorn, Emily Rancorn, Ella Bryan, Bella Bryan, David Bird, Aaron Bird, Bobby Bird, Darian Stricker, Tristan Stricker, Andrew Caceres, Daniel Stricker; eight great-grandchildren of the Stark famiy; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be 11:00AM, Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 1401 Greenwood Highway, McCormick, SC 29835 with Rev. Father Jacob Joseph officiating.   Inurnment will follow in the Good Shepherd Columbarium with Military honors.

A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.

Harris Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Abbeville is assisting the Bryan family.