James L. Bryan

James Lee Bryan, 89, of Houston, Texas passed away peacefully at his ranch in Elm Mott, Texas, from congestive heart failure on October 6, 2025. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 12:00p.m. until 1:00p.m. Saturday October 11th, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd. Waco, TX 76710. Funeral will be held at 1:00p.m. following visitation with Reverend Roy Marshall officiating.

James was the oldest of 3 sons, born in Waco, Texas to Andrew and Thelma Bryan. James was raised in Waco, Texas. He graduated from Midway High School in 1954, where he enjoyed playing football, basketball, and running track. He graduated from Baylor University in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in Geology and became a lifelong financial supporter of the school, creating an endowment fund scholarship on behalf of his grandson, Jacob Constable, who passed away at the age of 2 from cancer. He also served several years on the board of the Hankamer School of Business.

He worked in the oil field business for 40 years, starting on drills out at sea, traveling and living all over the world, and finally working his way up to living in Houston and becoming the Executive Vice President of Operations at Dresser Industries. After retiring from Dresser Industries, he worked for several years for Westpark Petroleum, Inc. and served on the board of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation.

James enjoyed fishing and hunting, but his greatest passion was the game of golf. As a devoted member of several Country Clubs and a proud founding member of Lochinvar Golf he spent countless weekends on the course with friends. His exceptional skill and dedication to the sport allowed him to travel extensively, competing in and winning tournaments across the country and around the world.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joretta (Griffin); his 4 daughters and their husbands: Debbie and Perry Ginn, Cathy and Craig Britton, Becky and Rusty Levy, and Cindy and Kevin Constable; 13 grandchildren and spouses: Chelsea and Monty Williams, Brittany and Kane Holbrooks, Taylor and Austin Brock, Drake and Jackie Britton, Kyli and Doug Evans, Sydni and Daniel Belek, Chance and Ashlyn Britton, Kalyn and James Cobb, Bryan Constable, Madison and Coby Talley, Tate Constable, Griffin Levy, and Baylie Levy; 20 great grandchildren, brother, Jerry; and many extended family and friends.