James "Tim" Timothy Bryant

James Timothy (“Tim”) Bryant—husband, father, musician, engineer, lifelong learner, and giver of good gifts—died peacefully at his residence in Middlebury, Ind., on Sunday, February 14, 2021, surrounded by his six children and wife Ginger.

He was born on Wednesday, February 17, 1937 in South Bend, Indiana, to James Houston and Jeanice Violet (Goebelt) Bryant.

At a young age, he was a newspaper boy who folded the papers “just so” to make them hold their shape with a good throw. Then he was a piano tuner and band leader who eventually shared his love of music with all his children. He became a lifelong student of the Bible who, as a newly married young man, spent time in jail for his conviction as a conscientious objector. He saw his role as a father as one of a teacher, joyfully and often with humor passing on valuable life lessons.

Tim is survived by his second wife, Virginia Marie (LaPorte) Bryant of Middlebury; a son, James (Valerie) Bryant of Moberly, Mo.; five daughters, Julie (Samuel) Meulenberg of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Emily (Scott) Dykema of Middleville, Mich.; Wendy (Lance) Anderson of Naples, Fla.; Rebekah (Kevin) Woodhull and Martha Bryant of Middlebury, Ind.; grandchildren, Dillon Meulenberg, Wallkill, N.Y.; Jordan and Kenzie Dykema, Middleville, Mich.; and Luke and Olivia Anderson, Naples, Fla.

He is also survived by his stepdaughters, Lacey Rappenecker, Terri LaPorte, Lisa Bryant, and Tina Gozzola.

He was preceded in death by both parents; by a brother, Daniel J. Bryant, and a sister, Rebekah J. Hughes. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Sherry Alevia (Gossard) Bryant.

A 1954 graduate of Mishawaka High School, Tim studied mechanical engineering at Purdue University. He taught piano for many years, and operated a piano technician business, “Tim Bryant & Son”, for nearly 60 years. He worked for CG Conn in Elkhart, engineering the building of instruments, and was a sales representative for plastic extrusion companies (International Plastics, Indianapolis; Nyloncraft, Mishawaka and National Plastics, Fort Wayne).

Prior to retirement, he and his wife Sherry for 10 years operated the Empty Nest Bed and Breakfast near Middlebury.

Family life

When Tim and Sherry married in 1960, they wanted to offer themselves for a traveling ministry work as Jehovah’s Witnesses. When, instead, children came quickly, they committed themselves to being great parents.

Tim, as the breadwinner, often had to balance four jobs to make ends meet, yet he found a way to be a real presence in his children’s’ lives. Family dinners were a must—a time for nourishing physical food but also enjoyable spiritual instruction. The dinner table was a place to linger, and Tim was the backbone of that. Long before Trivial Pursuit, he invented game called “Shakespeare and Stuff” that entertained and stimulated conversation.

“Do your best.” “Take pride in your work.” That was what he expected of himself and his family, whether it was working on an exciting Science Fair project together, or gardening, or pitting cherries on the back porch. He made allowances for abilities but knew that application to a task would usually end in success.

The following snippets give insight to Tim’s vibrant personality…

No road trip was taken without stops along the way to learn bits of local lore and history.

No cash allowances were doled out because, “Chores are done because you are part of a whole family. Things need to be done and you’re a part of that.”

Training and discipline came from conversation; through trying to see the big picture and by taking others’ feelings and viewpoints into consideration.

To ensure the home remained a place of peace, serious discussions between Tim and Sherry were held while enjoying a walk at a local park and letting the children romp in nature.

Proper speech was important to Tim. He delighted in throwing out a “big” word and then not just spelling it, but also divulging the Latin root—while his children sighed. Yet while proper speech was important to him, if he found his children taking themselves too seriously he might lighten the mood by adding, “Tain’t no big thang.”

Courage was taught when he asked, “What’s the worst that can happen?” In the end, his children realized that nothing was overly scary if they only had the courage to try.

Another motto was “commit.” When he taught his children to drive, that was his “go word,” and it defined his actions in life.

Any prospective swains of his five daughters learned that hard work was prized in the Bryant household. Tim cheerfully engaged several of them in helping to dig his own field tile system and septic tank. It effectively served to separate the men from the boys! But the girls also learned “sweat equity,” including being rounded up for less delectable plumbing jobs. The lesson was that hard work was something to be savored and proud of.

Spiritual values: “Never say no to an assignment from Jehovah.”

Tim first learned about God’s purposes for “this good earth” (as he often said in his prayers) during college. Once he grasped the issue of universal sovereignty, Tim committed himself fully to that end. He was active in his personal volunteer ministry, and, as an elder, thrived on helping those in the congregation grow in their own abilities.

Tim also conducted an orchestra for larger assemblies and conventions. In the spirit of Ecclesiastes 12:1, “Remember your Grand Creator in the days of your youth,” he encouraged all his children to volunteer after high school to some worthy end.

Passionately believing that “If you learn to read, you’ll love learning,” Tim often helped others outside the family with their reading abilities, even those who were learning English for the first time.

Later years: “A young man I used to be, I have also grown old.”

Once his own children had “flown the nest,” he found joy in taking young men in the congregation on a trip that would encourage their own desire to reach out in volunteer service.

His children remember their father popping a “little something” in their pocket to help with “any small, unexpected expense.” Yet not one recalls hearing him complain about how hard he had to work to provide. He sincerely found “more happiness in giving than in receiving.”

After his wife of 43 years died, Tim wanted to continue to share his life. A longtime friend, Ginger, whose spouse had also died, became a loyal wife of nearly 15 years. Tim would say, “I have had the privilege of marrying two good women.” Tim and Ginger’s later years were enriched by pleasant companionship. Even when Tim became in need of care, Ginger would say, “I want him home.”

Rebekah Woodhull notes, “As a daughter, I would often watch them look into one another’s eyes and I could see that what they shared was special. It was a loyal love that showed incredible strength of will. It was tender too.”

Finally…

During a long life richly lived, Tim had to overcome some trying circumstances. He was imprisoned for his faith as a conscientious objector during his first year of marriage, with his first child on the way. His first house was destroyed by the Palm Sunday tornados in 1965. His only sister died tragically while giving birth to her first child. His first wife died suddenly when their retirement years had just begun. In later years, his health deteriorated.

Yet Tim was never a complainer. One of his many sayings was “Be fully dressed with a smile”, and that is what he did.

Tim knew the Bible’s promise of a cleansed earth. He knew the promises of a resurrection to life for those that have died. He knew the assurance of these promises by means of Jesus Christ. Like Daniel of old, he was a desirable servant of God. And as was said to Daniel, “But as for you, go on to the end. You will rest, but you will stand up for your lot at the end of the days.”

When Tim is resurrected, he will be ready to commit himself to the work at hand…on this good, good earth.

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