James J. Bryson

James John Bryson passed away on February 12, 2016 at Edgewood Assisted Living Center in Saginaw, Ml at the age or 97. He was born on December 29, 1918 to the late James and Emelia (Oesterling) Bryson in Glenshaw, PA. Jim graduated from Shaler High School in May 1936. On March 4, 1943 he married the love of his life, the late Mary Caroline Bryson (nee Sessi). He loved to tell the story of the moment he first laid eyes on his beautiful Caroline one Sunday morning in June 1939 when she walked into Bethlehem Lutheran Church. It was love at first sight and an answer to his prayer that he find the perfect wife. From 1944 - 46. Jim served in the U.S. Army, 28th Infantry Division, European Theater receiving an honorable discharge as a Master Sergeant. Jim returned to Caroline in Pittsburgh and worked in the Foreign Marketing Department of Gulf Oil Company. Over the course of the next six years, Jim became a father of three children while also attending the University of Pittsburgh graduating in June 1952 with a BA in Business Administration. Jim's work With Gulf Oil as Budget Director, Eastern Hemisphere Operations took him, Caroline, and their children to London, England in 1958. After three years in London, another transfer with Gulf moved the Bryson's to Panama City, Panama. Upon their return to the U.S. in 1966, Jim held positions in Pittsburgh, PA. Chicago, IL, and Columbus, OH. He retired Gulf Oil Corp in 1973 and relocated to Chatham, NJ when he joined the Lutheran Church in America in New York City as Director of Assets Management. After his retirement from the LCA- Jim and Caroline moved to Seven Lakes, West End, NC in 1987. Jim's last move was to Saginaw, Ml in July 2012 to be closer to his family. He was blessed to share his last years with his friend, Jean Henning. Jim was an active member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Southern Pines, NC, a dedicated volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels, an ardent Pittsburgh Pirates fan always a caring friend and neighbor wherever he lived. Of Jim's many accomplishments, he was quite proud of achieving golf score of 88 which equaled his age in 2007. Jim was devoted to his family, immediate and extended. He had a profound Faith in God a love of country, a strong sense of responsibility, and a humble nature. Jim is survived by a son, Dennis (Kim) Bryson or Winter Park, FL and daughters, Carol (Robert) Emrich of Saginaw, Ml and Maureen (William) Barton of Bronxville, NY. He was the proud grandfather of nine grandchildren; David, Bridget, Katie, Andrew, Emily, Henry, Heather, Daniel and Melissa and nine great grandchildren; Sam, Eloise, Sloane, Finn, Caroline, Leo, Oscar, George and Eli. Jim is also survived by his sister-in-law, Betty Jane Miller and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Caroline, and his dear sisters, Margaret Maier and Dorothy Sailing. Services will be on Saturday, March 5, 2016. A visitation time will be held at Neely Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. preceding the service at noon at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1719 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw, PA. 15116. Memorial donations may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Glenshaw, PA or Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Glenshaw, PA or Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 1517 Luther Way, Southern Pines, NC. www.casefuneralhome.comn

Funeral Home:
W. L. Case and Company Mackinaw Funeral Chapel
4480 Mackinaw Road
Saginaw, MI
US 48603