Wayne Bryant, 87 of Spearfish, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2019, at Fort Meade VA Medical Center in Fort Meade, SD.

Wayne Joseph Bryant was born January 7, 1932 in Central City, SD to Robert Sr. and Marion Bryant.  As a child, he lived with his family in Central City and Red Water, SD.  He attended school in Lead and Spearfish, SD.  He married the love of his life, Betty Lorraine Andersen on November 17, 1953.

Wayne was a Korean War Veteran.  His service in the US Army was from 1951-1953.  He was a MP stationed in Germany.  After completing his tour in Germany, he returned to South Dakota and completed his education at Black Hills Teachers College.  After earning his teaching degree, he and Betty moved to Willow Creek, CA where they both taught elementary school.   Their first daughter, Suzanne Mary was born shortly before they moved to a small iron ore mining community called Eagle Mountain, CA.

Wayne, along with Betty taught school and raised their family which included three more children: Darcy, Matt and Anne for 27 years until Kaiser Stell closed the mine in 1983.

He loved the desert.  He loved taking motorcycles and jeeps out into the desert and teaching his kids to love the outdoors.  Camping at Joshua Tree National Park and spending the weekend at the Colorado River with friends and their families were just a few a few things he loved to do.

He was amazing man.  Loved by many and respected by all that knew him.  He instilled good moral values and really changed a lot of student's attitudes about learning.  He was strict but fair and his students grew to love and respect him.  He was also very proud to be a lifelong Mason and did his best to honor that role in his life.  Always helpful and kind.  He tried and succeeded in making this world a better place by educating hundreds of students over the years.

He was the greatest father in the world, but he was an even better grandfather and great-grandfather.  He had ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  Wayne is survived by his children, Suzanne Morgan, Darcy Bryant and Anne Erickson. He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Bryant; son, Matthew Bryant; father, Robert Bryant Sr.; mother, Marion Bryant; brother, Robert Bryant Jr.; sisters, Charlotte Schuttler and Patsy Hudecek Stevens; and grandson, Matthew Glenn.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, October 11, 2019, at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels in Spearfish with visitation beginning at 12:00 PM. Burial with full Military Honors will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com