Bryan, a founder of SBTC, dies

DENTON—Bobby Gene Bryan, 80, of Denton, a longtime pastor in Colorado, South Dakota and Texas and a leading figure in the founding of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, died May 16 at Denton Regional Medical Center.

Bryan retired from the full-time pastorate while at Cooper Creek Baptist Church in Denton in 1996 but continued to serve, perhaps most notably as chairman of the transition team that in 1997-98 helped form the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

Born Sept. 11, 1931 in Dallas to Roberts Owen and Lucile Bryan, he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and Howard Payne University. In addition to Cooper Creek, Bryan pastored First Baptist Seagoville, Emory Baptist in Emory, Eastern Hills Baptist in Garland, and Grace Temple in Terrell. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Krugerville.

Bryan was preceded by his wife of 50 years, Betty Sue Wilson Bryan. He is survived by second wife, Joyce Bryan of Denton; daughter, Darla Jeanette Melton of Emory; son, Stephen Gene Bryan of Winnsboro, La.; and stepchildren Geary Watson, Stephen Watson, and Melanie Sweatman.

Other survivors include a brother, Morris Wayne Bryan of Dallas, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, plus five step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.  

The funeral was May 19 at the First Baptist Church of Krugerville with burial at the Cooper Creek Cemetery.