October 1, 1956 ~ August 31, 2021
Born in: Palestine, Texas
Resided in:
College Station, Texas
Jim Whitten Bryan, 64, passed away peacefully at home in the arms of his wife and son, surrounded by his loving family, on August 31st, 2021, after a courageous 7-month battle with liver cancer. He was a loving husband, an amazing father, a wonderful grandpa, and a true friend.
Jim was born in Palestine, TX on October 1, 1956, to James and Sue Bryan. He grew up in DeSoto, TX and attended Midway High School in Waco TX.
He was a proud member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Class of ’79 at Texas A&M University.
Jim worked for 40 years in the oil industry. His career spanned Sun E&P, Oryx Energy Co., Kerr-McGee, and Anadarko Petroleum.
Jim met the love of his life, Kandi, in 1984 while working in Midland, TX. They married in 1988 and had their son, Wayde, in 1990.
Jim and Kandi moved to College Station in 2010 where they are members of Christ United Methodist Church.
Jim retired in 2016 from Anadarko Petroleum where he was the Director of Land Offshore for the Gulf of Mexico.
Jim was a member of various organizations: The 12th Man Foundation, Houston Petroleum Association, AAPL, The OCS Advisory Board, and the esteemed OMSCE Committee.
Just as he succeeded in his career, he also succeeded in being a dad. Jim was a kind, generous, encouraging, and patient father. He always made himself available to help with or attend anything his son, Wayde, was involved in. No matter what, he was his son’s biggest fan.
Jim was extremely passionate about Texas A&M and a superfan of Aggie sports. Jim and Kandi hosted many football pregame parties at their home throughout each season. In addition to attending every home football game, they would go on road trips to away games in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and many bowl games. They also attended Aggie baseball and basketball games frequently.
Jim was a lifelong outdoorsman. Post-retirement, his weekday routine was centered around the golf course. He also loved hunting and fishing of all types. Some of his most cherished experiences were going on hunting trips with old friends and family. Among his most precious memories, however, were feeding deer; pool time; chasing bunnies; searching for White Dog and Brown Dog; and tractor rides, with his grandson, Max.
He in addition to his wife of 33 years, Kandi Bryan, Jim is survived by his son Wayde Bryan and his wife Kelley; his grandson Max and granddaughter Blake (due in October); sister Phyllis Crouch and her husband Paul; sister Susan Joutras; Sister-in-law Polly Vargas and her husband Ruben; nieces and nephews Ashley Allen, Holly Morrison, Jennifer Joutras, Ryan Joutras, Victor Vargas, and Ruben Vargas, Jr.; and a host of friends. He is predeceased by his father James Bryan and his mother Sue Bryan.
The Bryan Family would like to extend a special thanks to the wonderful doctors and staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Jim Bryan’s life will be celebrated at Callaway-Jones Funeral Center in Bryan, TX at 3:00pm on Friday, September 10th with a memorial then reception to follow. (We respectfully require that attendees wear a facemask)
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Jim’s memory to MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Center .
Services
Memorial Service: September 10, 2021 3:00 pm
Callaway-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Center
3001 S College Ave
Bryan, TX 77801
979-822-3717
https://callawayjones.com
Jim you were so kind to me. I will forever keep you in my heart! God Bless Your Soul!
Leslie Ordener
Jim May you Rest In Peace — Midway friends all love you
Jana Hancock Turner
One of the best to ever walk this earth * a friend to all who knew him * wishing his family loads of treasured memories * Eternal rest, grant unto Jim, O LORD, and let perpetual light shine upon him. SMACK
Jim, you made a huge impact on my life, I will forever remember the family reunions, and the memories we made together! Rest In Peace❤️
Kandi and Wayde, we are so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. We remember him as a humorous character loaded with kindness. Praying peace over you and your family.
Jim was a gentle giant. He was always kind and respectful. His time among us ended much too soon. Rest in the peace and mercy of Christ Big Dog and Gig’em!
Jim was the gold standard for all the organizations and companies he work with due to his honest and caring approach. He always made time for everyone and his humor always made things seem little easier. Jim may you Rest In Peace and may God be with you, Candi and your family.
Jim was always an absolute pleasure when he and Kandi regularly visited us at Stella Southern Cafe. They were a part of our family, and Jim was always smiling and joking around, and it was always a great day when they came in. It was a blessing to know Jim, and I know you’re up in Heaven with our almighty Lord and Savior enjoying some homemade ham and cheddar scones. Sending sincerest prayers to the family.
May God bless Jim, Kandi, Wayde and family.
He was a great friend.
I cherished having the opportunity to be with him days before we left for Colorado.
Rest In Peace Big Dog!
Leon
Our prayers go out for Kandi and Wayde as they have lost a wonderful husband and father and Jim’s other family members.
Prayers to the Bryan family. Jim was a wonderful person and I am so very sorry for your loss.
Kandi / Wade I am so sorry to hear about Jim he was such a joy to be with he will be missed. God Bless! both of you and your family’s. The Sircy’s
Jim was one of my favorite high school friends. I am so very sorry! Prayers for comfort for his family.
Its hard to put into words what a great man Jim was. He was a big man not only in stature, but also in the his abilities, work ethic, fairness, kindness and personality. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you as well as with his friends, professional and personal.
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. What great memories I have of the times Freddie, Ole Dane (as Freddie called him) and I had in high school. We lost touch afterwards but I have always remembered what a great guy he was.
Here!
Lynn Williams Bronstad
Class of ‘79
Here!
Christopher Pham Lee
Class of ’10
Victor M. Vargas ’96.
I send my deepest condolences goes out to Candy and Wade Bryant. Jim was a great man with a big heart. He will truly be loved and missed.
Kandi , Wayde and family, our heartfelt condolences and prayers are with each of you. Jim, aka.Big Dog, was truly a larger than life inspiration. It was such a pleasure to both know and work with him. I have never known anyone who could provide comic relief like Jim during times of stressful and tense negotiations. I will always remember his laugh, his thoughtfulness and the quality of his character, which will leave an imprint on the memories of all those who knew him.
Scott and Terri Cornwell
My sympathy to Jim’s family and friends. A very nice video tribute that you put together for this gentle giant.
Kandi and Wade I’m deeply saddened by the news of Jim’s passing.
Our times hunting in Jack County Tx where such awesome memories.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Craig
My prayers go out to his family. A life well lived by a man well loved.
I was honored to serve on the OCS Advisory Board with you. I was privileged to call you a friend…
Kandi, Wayde, Kelley, & Max & family,
Jim would have loved his Celebration of Life. Someone said a man’s wealth is measured by the number of his friends … well JIM won the lottery as so many friends were there to pay tribute to him. The character of Jim was evident in the eulogies presented…kind, compassionate, humorous, big hearted, hard worker, best friend, incredible spouse, dad & granddad. Like Stephen said, we all felt better about ourselves when leaving Jim’s presence. It was not so much what he said, or what he did but how he made you Feel. He knew how to touch your soul & you became more enriched for having known him. Stephen & I were blessed to have Jim in our lives & all 3 of our children got to know his family at football games, weddings & dinners. His legacy is already evolving in Wayde & Max. Let the tender memories keep all your hearts smiling as you remember him. Sending a great Big JIMBO Hug your way!
Betty, Stephen, Ashley, Elizabeth & Bradford Laperouse