JB Clark Bryson, 62, was born on December 1, 1951 in Burlington to Howard and Anna Marian (Lawson) Bryson. He was proud to be a lifelong resident of Sedro-Woolley. JB passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2014 while on a rescue operation with Skagit Search and Rescue.
JB is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sue Bryson (Butt); his three children, Kelli Bowden, Kristi Stroyan and her husband Ryan, and Kevin Bryson and his wife Kellie; his much adored grandchildren, Haylee, Amara, Saydee, Adelynn, Ella, Ashlee, Charlie, and baby boy Bryson due in November. He is also survived by his brother, David Bryson and his sisters Peni Carr, Tamra Smrekar, and Debra Benjamin.
After graduating from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1971, he joined the United States Army where he trained in Special Forces, Airborne, and Military Police. He retired after completing his service with Army Reserves.
JB started working for the United States Post Office in 1980 in Bellingham. During his tenure he worked as a Carrier, Carrier Supervisor, Assistant Postmaster, finally retiring as the Postmaster of La Conner in 2005. JB immediately went to work as a Realtor in Sedro-Woolley.
Joining the Army was just the beginning of JB’s service. He continued to be an involved member of his community with, Skagit Search and Rescue ATV, North Cascade Harley Owners Group, Skagit Realtors, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Burned Children Recovery Foundation, Sedro-Woolley Kiwanis, Loggerodeo, and Skagit Hospice. This year, JB was excited to volunteer for the first time with the Sedro-Woolley Rodeo.
JB had a passion for the outdoors. He was an avid bow hunter, enjoyed camping with his family and friends, and tearing through the trails on his quad. He was always sure to document his adventures with his 35 mm camera. Everywhere JB went, he proudly displayed pictures of his grandchildren- they meant the world to him.
Services for JB will be held at the Sedro-Woolley High School football stadium on July 12, 2014 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Skagit Search and Rescue ATV Unit in the name of JB Bryson, 2911 E College Way, Suite B, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, or the Sedro-Woolley Fire Department Association, 325 Metcalf Street, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 or the JB Bryson Memorial Fund at any Skagit State branch.
Rest in peace friend!
I’m really going to miss JB. He was a great man, a leader, a man of great accomplishments. He was always pleasant. He had a very good nature. He helped so many people through the military, the post office, real estate, community. He can’t be replaced. God couldn’t wait another day for JB.
I had the great privilege of knowing JB by serving with him on the Loggerodeo Board, and through various other things over the years through my work at the city. He was always happy to visit with me when I had questions about real estate. He was such a nice guy, always happy, always a friendly wave when I would pass him on the road. He was a very good man and a good citizen for Sedro-Woolley. I will miss him very much.
To know JB was to know someone who cared for people. God bless his family through this time.
JB was one of the finest, most caring and honorable people I’ve ever known. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. I was privileged to know & work with him for the last few years. He always brought me a York Peppermint Patty and a smile that came from his heart. We shared many stories about our grandkids. JB will be sorely missed by so many. My sincerest, heartfelt sympathies to his wife, family & friends. Farewell sir, till we meet again.
I have known JB since the second grade. He always had that smile that just made you want to smile too.
Our thoughts are with Sue and the rest of the family.
Patti and I met JB in November 2013 when we decided to put our roots down in Sedro-Woolley. We had difficulty finding a real estate agent that was familiar with the area earlier in the year but JB was referred to us by the owners of Riverside Archery. We all hit it off right from the start. In fact it didn’t take long before I affectionately started calling him my Crazy Uncle. JB worked tirelessly to help Patti and I find the right horse property. We traveled many miles in his pick up all over the 3 County’s and he was instrumental in finding and securing our new home. JB is our friend and we miss him….rest in peace Crazy Uncle.
Doug, Emmarae, Lucas and I are deeply saddened by the loss of such a good man. We will miss camping with JB in Carlton and eating his famous breakfast “slop”. My kids always looked forward to it. Lucas especially looked forward to JB and Uncle Ray’s hunting stories and playing Mexican Train dominoes. Our thouhts and prayers are with Sue and the family during this difficult time.
Sue, I was so very saddened by the news of JB’s passing. He was such a wonderful person with such an amazing smile that just made you smile no matter how you were feeling. Even though I haven’t seen you all for so many years, I have fond memories of JB as we were growing up as children of I.O.F. parents. We had a lot of good times camping and family gatherings over the years and our parents were good friends and visited together. I was proud to be your nurse for your first delivery of your daughter and see his proud smiling face as he first looked at his new baby girl and you with so much love. He was a good man, with a good heart, was loved by many and will be missed by all. My prayers are with you and your family i this difficult. I hope to be at the service this weekend to celebrate his life with you all.
Dear Sue and Family-
We are thinking of you and your family at this difficult time.
Sending prayers, healing, and much love.
Shane and Kim Walley
JB will be missed. He was so loved by all whose path he crossed. I was blessed to work with JB on a couple of special assignments with the Post Office, he was hard working and a joy to be around
My prayers go out to JB and his family. JB and I were postmaster doing the same time. JB always had smile on his face and he was no stranger to people. JB will be missed.
JB was a great guy to be around. He was such a wonderful Postmaster that I tried to talk him out of retiring when he did. We missed him. It was great fun when JB rode his Harley to the NAPUS (Postmaster) convention in Milwaukee – and rode it right on to the convention floor! My heart goes out to all his family.
J. B. was a beloved cousin who will be greatly missed. He always had a smile, even as a child. His memory lives on in the example he provided: caring for others and finding joy in life.
J. B.’s mother, Marian, was my first cousin. J.B always had a smile, even as a child. He lives on our memories as an example of how to live: caring for others and finding joy in life.
We knew JB through our affiliation with NCHOG. I will always remember JB as a warm and caring person. He always made a point to give us a hug or a handshake, with that warm smile. I admired everything he did for others, setting up security with our NCHOG chapter, for logger rodeo,, helping out with the Burn Dance every year, rides to supports Hospice. I don’t think there was a unselfish bone in his body. The heavens are a better place having JB. Our heart breaks for Sue and the family. Hold on to the memories you have made over those 42 years. Your guardian angel watches over you. Our heartfelt condolences<3 Katie and Jon Marrs
We will always remember JB’s smile and the ever cheerful greeting we would get each and every time our paths would cross. I am already missing those goofy jokes that he would email to me.
Take care JB, until we meet again.
Keith & Joan.
I went dear hunting with JB during archery season about 30 years ago
and enjoyed his enthusiasm and love of the outdoors. About 20 years ago
I ran into him at a scouting event where he was giving his positive energy
to the boys learning new skills.
I am very sad to hear of him losing his life to save someone else’s, but
not surprised because he wanted to help make a difference.
My condolences to his family and friends and all of the Skagit Search
and Resque team who risk so much.
Frank and JB have known each other since they were kids. They were both active in their Boy Scout Troops, and both qualified for BSA Life Guard together. At Camp Black Mountain one summer, the troops camped beside each other one year, and JB made the BEST Fire Hole Baked Beans (Dutch oven style), none have rivaled to this day! There are other stories……….. not enough room to put them here! Frank had the good fortune of visiting with JB at the most recent Class of 71 coffee time at Cook Road Starbucks, heard about camping with grandkids and the boat that got away… He will be missed, a great man with a huge heart!
JB always had a smile, a kind word and warm welcome for my family and me. He was a good man with a very big heart. I will miss our rides, the gatherings and occasional fishing trips we were able to take. JB will be missed but never forgotten. My family and my condolences go out to Sue and all of JB’s family. So…rest in peace my friend and we will meet up again a little farther down the road.
I knew JB when I was Postmaster of Arlington/Smokey Point and he was the PM at La Conner. He was a kind thoughtful person and we loved it when he showed up at Postmaster meetings on his motorcycle. I was so sorry to hear of his passing. He was a good man.
This is the time there isn’t anything, to say but thinking of you and your family. God Love and his
care be with you all. I well remember the time’s we had together .
My prayers and thoughts are with the family; with Sue Anne as she finds her way after most of her life being with JB as a partner in life; with his children and grandchildren. Blessings for all~ I am so, so sad that he could not make it to the Western Mountains of Maine on his trip east, as it would have been a delight to see him revving it up. Ride in the clouds, now JB!
I am JB’s cousin. I remember JB at a family reunion hosted by his parents. I am much younger than the cousins (my parents were later to deliver), but I remember swinging on the rope in the barn at a family reunion,, and when we left, I remember JB with a football running and waving good-bye… he ran straight into a tree. I did not laugh.
The last time I saw JB was at a family function. He and my brother were on motorcycle. I was directing parking. JB asked if I would like to park the bike… my response, being 5′ 120 lbs. was, “do you want it all scratched up?” No, I knew that bike was too much for me.
But I learned his wife would fall asleep on his back on their bike travels.
I remember JB as a very fun, caring individual. This is a tragic loss for the immediate family, and the same for extended family.
JB deceased doing what he did best. He was always helping others.
That’s all I’ve got.
Cousin Sol
My heart goes out to the entire Bryson family. JB has always been a very nice person and will be missed by everyone.
I met JB at Scootter Stuff where he was a frequent volunteer for parties and festivals. JB was my husband’s Eagle Scout mentor, and my brother-in-law’s chaperon to the ER after a small accident with a hatchet while camping. In every instance, he represents selfless contributions to family and community. His death is a truly great loss. I will miss seeing his motorcycle parked outside the realty office on hot summer days.
My thoughts are with JB’s wife, children and grandchildren of which he loved to talk about.
You were a great nephew to this family. A kind, gentle soul and always ready to help whoever needed your help. Your family and all of your relatives will miss you.
I think Skagit Co. will miss you too. I’m so glad I knew you..
I knew JB through his work as a Realtor. He was always kind, courteous and caring. He will be missed.
I would so love to attend his service but I will be doing what he loved to do and that is riding my Harley on a motorcycle trip. R.I.P. JB…you were indeed a good man and a gift to know. I am so sorry for his loss to his wife and kids. Sedro Woolley will miss you very much. God Bless and keep the rubber side down my friend..