Jerry Duane Bryan

Jerry Duane Bryan went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 31, 2013. He died in Plano, Texas, at the age of 75 years, four months and 24 days. He was born on March the 7, 1938, to A.L. Bryan and Selma (Adams) Bryan in Altus, Oklahoma. Jerry lived in numerous places due to his father being in the military and personal choices. He had found memories living in Japan for school and playing basketball overseas and learning about their culture (he loved Japanese food), his family returned to the United States where Jerry then graduated from high school in New Orleans. After graduating high school he went into the US Army which led him to Vietnam. After returning from War he attended College at the University of Oklahoma and received his Bachelors Degree and met his true love Janice. He married Janice R. Shewey on August the 2, 1961, in Enid, Oklahoma, and Bruce entered into their lives and join in their Journey. Then he attended College at Kansas University and received his Master's in Fine Arts and at that time Mundy entered into his journey in life. After attending school he and his family moved to Oak Park, Illinois, where Jerry went to teach at Triton University and Arts Institute of Chicago. Chicago became too dangerous at the time and he and Janice made the decision to move to Tipton, Oklahoma, so he and Janice could raise their children in a close community. Jerry lived in numerous places all over the world; however, he and Janice did consider Tipton their home. He lived a large amount of his life on his and Janice's property that they both called "The Farm". Jerry then decided that he would open a business by the name of "Otter Creek Pottery". Tipton had never seen a business as unique as Jerry's he was able to bring excitement to Tipton; it was hard at first for people understand why a person would want to "play in the Clay" but once they understood the "why" then he was able to show them the excitement of what he was trying to do for Tipton. The pottery shop was always a place where everyone was welcome and everyone could come in and be creative as well. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with anyone who was willing to learn and listen. Jerry had the ability to turn a ball of clay into a masterpiece. People all over the world were amazed that he made these pieces and that machine had not made them. He enjoyed the fact that he had the ability to have his wife work/live/play side by side with him. He and Janice decided to open another business called "The Store". "The Store" was always a hustle and bustle, they both enjoyed people coming in and feeling relaxed and spending time with them, and learning more about who they were and what they were about. Owning these business's they were both able to reach out to others and be able to help out their fellow man. Jerry then started teaching at WOSC (Western Oklahoma State College); of which he had just retired on July 1st of 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents: A.L Bryan and Selma L Adams; his wife: Janice R Bryan on January 29, 2012. He is survived by a son: Bruce Bryan, of Anchorage, Alaska; a daughter: Mundy (Bryan) Ross-Fernandez, of Carrollton, Texas; one brother: Jack L. Bryan, of Lawton, Oklahoma; two grandchildren: Alyssa Bryan, of Anchorage, Alaska, and Dalton Quincy Ross, of Carrollton, Texas.