Jim W Bryan '79

jim bryan '79

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

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. 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

  2. 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❤️

  3. 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.

  4. Rest In Peace Jim, I remember him as always being full of laughter and kindness. The world will certainly be lesser without you in it.

  5. Jim was a Great American! He was loved by many and will be sorely missed. We are lifting prayers for Kandi and the rest of the family.

  6. 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!

  7. Jim was a true gentleman and always a great ambassador for representing his company in the O&G Industry. His humor and kindness was always present and will be greatly missed. Sending our prayers for Kandi and family. Rest In Peace Jim.

  8. It was a privilege to call Jim my friend, he was such an inspiration. Extending my heartfelt condolences at this difficult time. Prayers for the family.

  9. 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.

  10. Sincere condolences to Kandi and the Bryan family for their tremendous loss. I had such great respect for Jim, as did everyone who ever worked with him. Fair, honest, kind and smart – he was one of the finest landmen I’ve ever dealt with.

  11. God doesn’t build enough “Big Dog’s”. Jim you were kind, funny, competent, a friend to all you encountered and with a heart as big as Texas. I will always remember you my friend.

  12. My heart is broken. Jim was truly one of those persons who you always wanted to spend time around, even though his and Kandi’s practical jokes were brutal. You couldn’t ask for better friends. My love and sympathy go to Wayde and his family. I was able to see the closeness of the Bryant family. May God and your family and friends help you through this.

  13. 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.

  14. My heart and prayers go out to Kandi and Wayde and his family. Jim was always the light In the day if you could get through Jim and Kandi’s brutal practical jokes. He was a super husband and father. He will be missed by all.

  15. 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

  16. Jim Bryan was a model professionally that all should aspire to achieve. He was highly respected and well represented his employer’s best interests by effectively using his knowledge and experience coupled with his effusive, gentile personality. Big Dog was one of a kind and loved by all. He will be sorely missed by his multitude of friends, personal and professional, so many of which were both.

    Our prayers go out for Kandi and Wayde as they have lost a wonderful husband and father and Jim’s other family members.

  17. 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

  18. Kandi, Wayde and 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.

  19. 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.

  20. I’m terribly sorry to read about your lost. We need to understand that he is in holy, loving, and carefree place/paradise now!
    Here!

    Christopher Pham Lee
    Class of ’10

  21. It is difficult to put into words just how great of a man tío Jim is. I think I have admired tío from the day Kandi brought him to meet the family. I believe it was Christmas 1988, and that is a whole other story and memory that i will cherish and laugh about. From that day forward I have looked up to tío (not just because he was tall). You have been more than family. You have been and will continue to be a role model to me. I will continue to try to be as kind, understanding, funny, and wise as you have been to me and so many others. Much love tío.
    Victor M. Vargas ’96.

  22. 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.

  23. 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

  24. 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

  25. Dear Kandi & Wayde, I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Jim was a True Blue Friend and his thoughtfulness and caring extended to everyone and I count as one of my biggest blessings the friendship we had. If there is anything you may need please call me 409-791-4222 so I might have the opportunity to repay a small portion of what Jim gave to me and my Family. May God Bless Jim and all of your Family, Love, Mickey

  26. 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


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