Lonnie William Bryan

Lonnie William Bryan, of Interlachen, Fla., beloved husband, father, grandfather, lifelong educator, and U.S. Army veteran, died on January 28, 2023, in hospice care in St. Augustine, Fla. He was 86. Lonnie was a science teacher and administrator in Alachua County Public Schools. He was a science teacher at Savannah Christian Preparatory School, where he developed a 170-acre outdoor classroom called E.D.E.N. Lonnie served on active duty in the U.S. Army from January 1959 to April 1963, piloting helicopters and training pilots, and in the Reserve for three years. He was a lieutenant in the 8th Transportation Company and a Strategic Army Corps unit attached to Fort Bragg in North Carolina. He was deployed in October 1961 as an Army aviator on a secret mission, arriving in South Vietnam in December 1961 until October 1962 as a helicopter flight leader and supply officer, rising to the rank of captain. During his deployment, the 8th and 57th transportation companies jointly conducted the Vietnam War’s first helicopter assault south of Saigon. Lonnie was born April 25, 1936, in Tampa, Fla., and was adopted by Perry Bryan and Lydia Bryant (later Bryan). Perry died when Lonnie was an infant, and Lydia later married C.J. “Charlie” Harbuck. Lonnie attended school in Tampa and Jasper, Fla., graduating from Jasper High School in 1954. Lonnie enjoyed shrimp and chocolate; and the music of Bach, Beethoven, and the World War II era. He earned a bachelor of science degree in 1958 from the University of Florida, where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa. He later earned a master of education degree and an education specialist degree from U.F. Lonnie was a member of the Lions Club, the education associations for Florida and Alachua County, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and he organized blood drives for the Red Cross. Survivors include his wife, Maria Stark; former wife Ann Bryan and their children, Robert Dale Bryan, and Laurie Ann Edgehill (Alan); grandchildren Leah Lalor (Justin) and their children, and Julie and Jim Gilson; stepchildren Elizabeth Clark, Ellen Carter, and Jimella Triebwasser; and step-grandchildren, Bryan Clark, Eric Price (Sarah), and Alison Sargent (Hunter). He was preceded in death by his sister, Adina Simpson; his second wife, Linda Stevens; and his stepdaughter, Sarah Price. Services are handled by Williams-Thomas Funeral Home, and a memorial service will be held at the United Church of Gainesville on July 8th, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.. Donations in Lonnie’s honor may be sent to the Council for Exceptional Children - Gatorland Chapter #1024, 3524 NW 18th Place, Gainesville, FL 32605

Lonnie William Bryan

April 25, 1936 - January 28, 2023