David Edward Bryant

David Edward Bryant passed away on August 24, 2024, from cancer, at the age of 81. He was born August 6, 1943, in Salt Lake City to Ruth Marie Kempton and Edward Percy Bryant.

He was an only child until the age of ten when his brother, Don Joseph, was added to his childhood. Dave and Don had a close relationship as they grew up, despite Dave’s attempt to trade his baby brother to a neighbor fro a TV! They remained close throughout life, speaking on the phone nearly every day.

Dave attended East High School in Salt Lake City. As a knock-out handsome senior, he met a beautiful junior girl, Virginia Hawkins. He asked her out on a date, and at 16 and 17, they stole each other’s hearts and never returned them.

They dated for three years before they married. At age 19, Dave was baptized a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Two years later, on July 17, 1964, they were married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Just this year, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with lots of family present. Despite not feeling well, Dave insisted that the party go forward.

Their first daughter, Melissa Ruth, was born in 1966. A son, Kurt David, joined the family in 1969, and their youngest daughter, Lacie Meg, arrived in 1973. Dave and Ginny cherished every moment of raising their three wonderful children, in Bountiful.

As a teenager, Dave bought a baby blue and white, 1955 Chevy, two door, Bel-Air. He learned all there was to know about a car’s engine and became an excellent mechanic—a skill that became both a hobby and a side job for the rest of his life. He loved that old ’55 classic and won many trophies at the drag races (which Ginny kept for him and displayed at her house because his parents disapproved). Dave was one of a kind. He lived life on his terms and could never be put into a box. After high school he attended Westminster University and the University of Utah.

Dave began working at Hill Air Force Base soon after he and Ginny married. He was an aircraft mechanic and quickly advanced to a supervisory role, ultimately becoming the Third-Level-F-4 Production Line Chief. He worked there for 30 years and retired at age 50.

Dave Bryant was the epitome of a “Good Christian,” although if you pointed that out, he would deny it. He helped all who needed him, especially if they had car troubles. Once retired, Dave often had someone else’s car or motorcycle in his driveway while he worked on it. Every teenager needing help with their motorcycle received instruction while he worked with them and taught them how to fix their bikes—He was known to drive around the neighborhood looking for someone who might need his help.

He could fix anything! If you mentioned your oven or washing machine wasn’t working, he would fix it on the spot. If he heard your microwave make a funny sound, he would have it working before you knew it. Dave spent his whole life serving others, though he never wanted to be called a “Nice Guy”.

Dave had a very tough exterior and feared nothing. He was a big tease and made-up stories so frequently that even Ginny didn’t know when he was joking or serious.

Ginny recently described him as, “the best provider, protector, and partner I could have ever asked for! And he never quit being my boyfriend.”

Dave laughed, growled, teased, and loved his way through life, making him the most unique character one had ever known. He didn’t tiptoe around anything or anybody, but walked boldly through life, leaving an example of love, humor, service, and admiration to all who knew him! Our world will never be the same without him.

He is survived by his cherished wife, Virginia (Ginny) Hawkins; their best-in-the-world children, Melissa (Brent) Baker, Kurt (Angi) Bryant, Lacie Banton; ten grandchildren: Taydon Bryant, Malorie Murphy, Zack (Kaylee) Baker, Savanna (Hayden) Roney, Keaton Bryant, Abbie (Kendall) Vance, Nick (Tanner) Baker, Alec Banton, Makaila (Taggert) Curtis, & Brock Banton; and seven delightful great-granddaughters: Ava, Isla, Hadley, Eva, Reese, Mia, and Millie.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 1:00 pm at the chapel in 1930 North 600 West, West Bountiful, UT. Following the celebration of life, the family will host a meet and greet party, at the church, in Dave’s honor.