Dr. Jerry Bryson

Dr. Jerry M. Bryson, 80, of Harlan passed away Saturday, May 14, 2016, at University of Kentucky Medical Center.

Dr. Bryson was born December 16, 1935, in Decaturville, TN to the late Mark E. and Audra Churchwell Bryson. He grew up in Pickwick, Tennessee and graduated from Shiloh High School in 1953 as Valedictorian of his class. He received a B.S. from Lambuth College in Jackson, TN, an M. D. from The University of Tennessee in Memphis, and an M.S. in Ophthalmology from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

He served two years with The United States Public Health Service at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. In 1968, he moved to Harlan to practice at the Daniel Boone Clinic. For one year, he moved to Nashville,TN to be closer to his ailing father.  The next year he returned to Harlan, where he has been practicing at the Daniel Boone Clinic for 48 years. He also served for several years as the medical director.

Dr. Bryson was well respected and loved in the Harlan community.  He served on the Harlan Independent School Board as Chairman for several years.  He was a member of The Harlan Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the administrative board.  He was a long time and current Sunday School teacher and led the Saturday NIght Youth Group for 16 years. He was a longtime member of The Gideons International where he spoke at many churches in Southeastern Kentucky and helped distribute Bibles. He was a member and past board member of The Harlan Country Club and enjoyed playing weekly with friends. Since the age of 10, he enjoyed listening to his beloved St. Louis Cardinals on the radio. He was an avid fan and supporter of The Harlan Green Dragons.

He loved spending time with his family.  On a daily basis, he prayed for and encouraged his children and grandchildren and was involved and concerned with their education and development. He also enjoyed studying and teaching the Bible.  Having grown up on a farm, he loved being outside working the ground.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Patricia Wiley Bryson, of Harlan; children, Emily (Will) Clem of Harlan, John (Beth) Bryson of Memphis, TN, and Stephen (Tara) Bryson of Harlan; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Christina) Howard, Chelsea and Tricia Clem, Brooke, Beck, Bo, Boss, Blair, and Bayne Bryson, Tate, Lucy, John Mark, and Tess Bryson; great grandchildren, Gabriella and Norah Howard; sisters, Joy (Bill) Thompson, Memphis, TN, Gloria (Charles) Elliott, West Memphis, AR; sister-in-law, Anne Wiley Niziol, Knoxville, TN; several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends to mourn his passing.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 21, from 5:00-7:00p.m. at The Harlan Baptist Church.  A Memorial Service will follow at 7:00p.m. at the Harlan Baptist Church with John Bryson officiating.

Private burial will be held at Resthaven Cemetery, Keith, KY

Pallbearers will be CD Morton, Rodney Jones, Neil Middleton, Fred Fluker, Reece Hubbard, Darin Raglin, and Clay Howard.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Eugene Farmer, Carl Smith, Sr., Jim Robinson Sr., Rodney Buttermore, Sr., retired and current physicians and staff of the Daniel Boone Clinic and HARH.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to The Harlan Independent School District, 420 East Central ST, Harlan , KY   40831, The Harlan Country Club, 1509 S.Hwy 3001 Cawood, KY 40815, or The Harlan United Methodist Church, 201 East Mound ST Harlan, KY 40831.

Please feel free to share a memory or photo at www.ALJFH.com

Anderson- Laws and Jones Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Dr. Jerry Bryson.