Frank Richard Bryant…June 29, 1935 – December 15, 2014

Longtime Las Animas resident Frank R. Bryant passed away Monday morning at his home.  Frank was born on June 29, 1935, to CP and Charlotte Bryant.

After graduating from the University of Wyoming with a degree in business, Frank served in the Army as an MP officer.  Following his time in the military, Frank worked for the JC Penney corporation as a store manager in Denver before returning to Las Animas to join his father in the real estate/insurance business.  He owned that business for the next 30 years.  He then worked as the Bent County Land Use Administrator before retiring in 2010.

Throughout his life, Frank served on numerous boards.  He was selected by Governor Lamm to be on the inaugural Small Business Council, which advised the governor on matters pertaining to its cause.  He was also selected to serve on the nominating committee for the Federal District Court, District Colorado, in charge of choosing candidates for federal courtships.  Closer to home, Frank served as president of the Bent County Hospital Board, president of the Bent County Combined Fund, secretary of the Bent County Republican Central Committee, elder of the Presbyterian Church and president of Knife and Fork. Frank belonged to the Masonic Lodge, Sigma Nu fraternity, Men’s Thursday Evening Study Club, Presbyterian Study Club, Knife and Fork and the Chamber of Commerce.

Frank had two main passions in his life — his family and music.  Following in the footsteps of his mother and grandmother, Frank was an accomplished organist and pianist.  His natural pitch lent itself to his ability to play anything he heard by ear.  He often played special music at the Presbyterian Church.

Frank met his wife Pat while singing in the church choir.  They were married in July 1967 and enjoyed 47 happy years together.  To this union, they added two children, Debbie (Ron) and Michael (Jennifer).  He joyfully welcomed four granddaughters — Katie, Autumn, Ainsley and Emma — and burst with pride every time he spoke of them.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jerry and his sister-in-law Faye. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, sister-in-law Kathleen Thomas (Bill), and nieces Valerie Sheffer (Ken), Kim MacDonnell (Mark), and Kelly Thomas.

Services will be held Friday, December 19, at 10:00am at the First Presbyterian Church in Las Animas.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund or the John W. Rawlings Museum either directly or in care of: Horber Funeral Chapel P.O. Box 431 Las Animas, CO 81054

For more information or to leave online condolences, please visit: http://www.horberfuneralchapel.com