dr bryant

Service

Per the family’s request, and due to COVID restrictions, a service will not be held. We will establish a small memorial on campus for friends, students and colleagues to gather and reflect on Vaughn’s memory.

Obituary

Regents Professor Dr. Vaughn Motley Bryant Jr. passed away Saturday, January 30th, at his home in College Station, Texas in the company of those he loved.

Dr. Bryant was born in Dallas Texas, in October 1940 to Vaughn Motley Bryant Sr. and Marjorie Price Trafford. He spent his early years in South America where his father worked as a reporter until his family moved back to the States and lived subsequently in New Orleans, Houston, and South Carolina.

Dr. Bryant attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned a B.A. in Geography in 1964, a M.A. in Anthropology in 1966, and a Ph.D. in Botany in 1969. He started his teaching career at the University of Washington in 1969. In 1971, he joined the Department of Anthropology at Texas A&M University in College Station, where he remained for the rest of his academic career.

Dr. Bryant’s prolific contributions to the fields of Palynology, Quaternary Paleoecology, Prehistoric Diets, Paleoethnobotany, Melissopalynology, Forensic Palynology, and North American Archaeology cannot be overstated. His numerous publications, collaborations, lecture series, teaching and lecture engagements are a small testament of his dedication to his chosen science and the respect of his peers and students.

A lifelong swimmer, Dr. Bryant swam competitively well into his 50s. His children swam competitively throughout the 70s and 80s with one child and two grandchildren swimming at the college level under scholarships.

Dr. Bryant is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carol Ann Bryant, nee Killen, brothers Don T. Bryant and James Southward, cousin Martha Waldorf, and his children Bonnie A. Fisher and husband Bill Fisher (College Station) and their children Natalie and Clancy, Dr. Vaughn M. Bryant III and wife Katherine Bryant (Spring) and their children Mary Katherine, Samuel, Virginia, and Anna Belle, and Daniel K. Bryant and wife Shannon Steadman-Bryant (Tomball), and their children Connor and Erin.

It goes without saying that Dr. Bryant was beloved by many and will be very sorely missed by his family, peers, students, and friends. His large personality has left a void which will be felt for years to come.

A scholarship will be established in Dr. Bryant’s name. In lieu of customary remembrances, please consider contributing in Dr. Bryant’s name. Please check his memorial website (https://DrBryantMemorial.github.io) for instructions.

A botanical memorial will be placed on campus in recognition of his lifetime contribution and tireless study in botany. The family invites friends, students, and colleagues to reflect upon their time with Vaughn. Please check his memorial website (https://DrBryantMemorial.github.io) for further information.

At Dr. Bryant’s request, a service will not be held.

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Scholarship Fund

A scholarship fund has been estabilished in Dr. Bryant’s name. In lieu of customary remembrances, please consider a donation in his name.

To donate by check:

  • Make checks out to “Texas A&M Foundation”
  • Enter “Vaughn Bryant” in the memo line
  • Mail checks to the following address
Attn: Ashley Bryant
4223 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843.

To donate by credit card:

Botanical Memorial

We will establish a small memorial on campus for friends, students and colleagues to gather and reflect on Vaughn’s memory. Information on the location and completion will be posted here.

Update or Subscibe

If you want to share a memory, post, tweet or story about Vaughn, or simply to be notifed about updates to this site, please email Dr.Bryant.Memorial@gmail.com.