Sam Thomas "Bud" Bryant

Sam Thomas "Bud" Bryant, 86, of Little Rock, passed away surrounded by family on October 26, 2017 after a brief illness. Born on September 12, 1931, in Little Rock AR. to Floyd Thomas and Ollie Flack Bryant, he attended the Little Rock Public Schools and graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1949. Bud was a founding member of Troop 6 of the Boy Scouts at Rosedale Optimist Club, a 32nd degree Mason and a life-long member of Western Hills United Methodist Church. After studying at Little Rock Junior College (1949-1951), he enlisted in the U.S. Army (1952-1954) where he was stationed in Germany. Upon returning from active duty, he joined Rock Island Railroad as an engineer. In 1961 he joined the U.S. Army's 916th Surgical Hospital Unit where he served for two years in Columbia, South Carolina before returning to Little Rock to work for the Rock Island Railroad. He retired from Union Pacific Railroad in December 1998, after 46 years of service. In 1959 he married Ernestine Howard in Memphis, Tennessee, to whom he was happily married until his death. Bud and Tine were inseparable, particularly since his retirement, and they loved to travel the world together making new friends, collecting new stories and enjoying their 58 years together. He is survived by their two children, Kevin Howard Bryant (Shyrll) and Kent Thomas Bryant (Amy), their grandchildren Blake Howard Bryant (Hannah), Jackson Thomas Bryant and Amy Caroline Bryant, all of Little Rock. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. To meet Bud Bryant was to become a friend as he cared deeply for his neighbor and never met a stranger. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Mary Lucille Gilbert. Bud was a person of great faith and lived his life serving others. He cared deeply for his family and friends. He knew, valued and promised "a hard day's work" and delivered on that promise each day of his life. Whether as an engineer on the railroad, a volunteer at his church or as an extra hand helping his sons or friends build a new barn or workshop, Bud was there to lend a hand or an opinion. He deeply understood the essential importance of getting a good education and celebrated the educational, professional, athletic and personal accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He was incredibly committed to his family and exceptionally proud to watch them grow. A visitation will be held Friday, October 27, 2017 at Roller Chenal Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. The funeral service will be Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Western Hills United Methodist Church. Entombment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Western Hills United Methodist Church. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.