BRYANT, Andrew

May 12, 1955 — August 28, 2023

Andrew “Drew” Philip Lawrence Bryant passed away to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, August 28th, 2023 from a brief battle with metastasized brain cancer.

Drew was much loved by his dear friends and family, and was highly respected within the circles of the several churches he attended throughout BC, Alberta, and Arizona. In Kelowna, he enjoyed weekly fellowship with a group of Christian men who supported him in his last moments. Of note, he is lovingly remembered by his church and Bible study groups in Arizona.

In his younger years, he played French Horn with the extremely successful Bow Island (Alberta) High School Senior band, playing and winning first place several times, and was both heavily influenced by Arland Mangold, and renowned director and French Horn player, Edmund Marty at Casper Wyoming College. Following Casper, Drew studied music at a California university. At the age of 16/17 Drew journeyed through, and was accepted by the Lethbridge Symphony as first chair French Horn, and also played and held the French Horn soloist part for their theatrical production MAN OF LA MANCHA. He played in the orchestra in Medicine Hat, AB with Musical Theatre. He continued to play his horn throughout his life, indeed, one of his passions, music and singing alongside his dearly beloved wife Marilyn of whom he met while playing with the Medicine Hat Community Band under the direction of Bill Wall.

Drew was one of the smartest men in our circles, being a whiz at mathematics, often correcting his teachers, with an I.Q. of plus 145 and belonging to MENSA.

Drew, with his team of curlers curled his way into the Alberta Provincial Championships at the age of 16 or 17, and was a domestic aviation pilot owning his own Cessna. Drew enjoyed being the cook of the house. He excelled at chess and snooker.

Drew had a kind heart, was always willing to help those in need, often riding in as a knight in shining armor to offer comfort and companionship, spiritually, and otherwise, depending on the situation. He often advised when called upon in matters of finance and economics.

Drew came to know the Lord while attending a church service by Pastor Dan Reinhardt at Hillcrest Evangelical Church in Medicine Hat, AB.

While living in Salmon Arm, he successfully led a home Bible study with gospel recording artist, Abe Zacharias, leading in song. Drew also filled in as baritone for the well-known Good News Quartet, under the leadership of Harvey Sawatzky.

Drew’s training as an Instrument Mechanic took him through positions with DomGlass, Redcliff, AB; Western Pulp, Port Alice, BC; Macmillan Bloedel, Powell River, BC; NW Instrument Systems, Richmond, BC; TW Mackay & Son, Vancouver, BC. He was a Realtor with Shirley Real Estate, Salmon Arm, BC, and Owner/Proprietor, Hospital Heights Bed & Breakfast, Salmon Arm, BC.

Further, beginning in 2010, Drew and Marilyn spent winters in Sun City, AZ, where they bought property, lawn bowled, bicycled, and attended First Baptist Church. Prior to that, they attended Calvary Phoenix Church in Glendale, AZ.

Drew is predeceased by his father DVM, Philip Bryant; by his grandparents Louis and Ada Attridge. Drew is survived by his wife Marilyn Bryant, mother Jane Bryant (Attridge); sister Charlotte Bryant, brother Aaron Bryant (Debbie), niece Jessica King (Dan), nephews Lance Bryant (Cami) and Justin Bryant (Sarah). As well, Drew is survived by his step sons Darrell Lough, (granddaughter Felicia (Rob), great-grandchildren, son Bentley and daughter Ivy); grandsons Stuart Lough and Christopher Lough; Ross Lough; Barry Lough (Heather) and two daughters Desiree and Nakita; Patrick Lough (Dulaine) and son Alex (Mabel) and daughter, Rachael; sister-in-law, Joyce Thomson of Oliver, BC; brother-in-law, Jackie Zarelli of Langley, BC.

A Funeral Service, followed by a reception, will be held to honour Andrew on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 1:00 PM (PDT) at Mission Creek Alliance Church, 2091 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.

An internment will follow on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at the Oliver Cemetery, 1068 Rockcliffe Road, Oliver, BC.

In lieu of cards, gifts, and flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.

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