Ted Bryant

Ted Wallace Bryant, (Wally) 86 of Ramona, CA passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2011, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born to Theodore and Jean Davidson Bryant on May 29, 1925 in El Centro, CA. His family returned to San Diego County when he was two weeks old.

He lived in El Cajon most of his childhood and attended El Cajon Grammar School. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandparents, John and Martha Davidson at their home in the historic Mission Cliff Gardens located near Park Blvd. and Adams Ave. His grandfather was the designer and curator of the park. He spent time with his father who owned an oil business, delivering heating oil all over San Diego County's backcountry, including Ramona and Julian. Some of his fondest memories were spent fishing with his uncle, George Davidson, off the coast near Point Loma.

He attended Grossmont and Hoover High Schools, but left during his senior year to enlist in the United States Navy during WWII from 1943-1946. He served on the President Jackson and was at Iwo Jima on the third day. He operated the landing barges, transporting Marines to shore. His tour of duty also included Guam, Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands. After his military service, he completed his GED, trained as a meat cutter and found work out of Seattle, WA on a military ship, the Eltinge, which took him to Greenland.

In 1951, he returned home to San Diego where he met and married Muriel Ann Kay of Chicago, IL. They were married in Chicago on April 5, 1952. They resided in San Diego where they raised three daughters in the Kearny Mesa area. During that time he was a member of Eighth Church of Christ Scientist in Clairemont. In 1975 they relocated to Grants Pass, OR where they lived overlooking the Applegate River. In 1985 they returned to San Diego County and settled in San Diego Country Estates, Ramona, CA. On April 5, 2002, he and his wife Muriel celebrated 50 years of marriage, but sadly she passed on in July of 2002. His children, grandchildren and extended family were an integral part of his daily life. He loved telling "sea stories" to his family and anyone he met. In 2003, he reunited with a special lady, Thora Peacey, who he had met while living in Seattle just after the war. She moved to Ramona and they enjoyed several loving years of companionship.

He is survived by his companion, Thora Peacey, daughters, Lynne Kellenbeck (Dave) of Grants Pass, OR, Nancy Burch (Mitch) and Carole Wylie (Edward), of Ramona, CA, grandchildren, Stacey Yarrish, Meredith Schuler, Derek Kellenbeck, Lindsay Burch, Dane Wylie and Jordan Wylie, great-grandchildren, Calum Yarrish and Dawson Schuler, sister-in-law, Nita Kay and two cousins, Nancy Wormington and Tommy Wormington, and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death was his sister, Barbara Bryant Bates.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for the installation of a bronze plaque recognizing Wally's grandfather, John Davidson, designer and curator of Mission Cliff Gardens, an important part of San Diego's history. This plaque will be installed on the historical landmark wall at the former location of Mission Cliff Gardens.a

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