Steve Wayne Bryant

Steven Wayne Bryant, 61, of Kansas City, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at the VA Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri after a long battle with cancer. Steven was born on August 28, 1955 in Kansas City, Kansas.  Steven was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Dean Bryant, Sr. who died  in 1995 and his paternal grandparents, Henry "Poppy" Bryant and Pearl Bryant. Steven is survived by his son, Steven Henry Bryant and his wife, Jasmine, along with three grandchildren, Alexia Elizabeth Bryant, Isabella Bedas Bryant, and Finnegan Abdiel Bryant and mother, Emmagene Elizabeth Harvill, a grandmother, Alice M. Seacres, Brothers, Melvin Dean Bryant Jr. and his wife, Diane, and Jeffrey Alan Bryant and his wife, Crystal.  Steven is also survived by a sister, Karen Sue McDaniel.  Steve is also survived by a step-brother, James Harvill and a step-sister, Kelly Harvill, aunts, uncles,  several nieces and nephews, many close friends and a dog, Mocha.  Steven loved and was loved well.

Steven attended Turner High School and served in the US Army during the Vietnam War as a Paratrooper and was stationed in Germany. After his military service, Steven spent time traveling to several different states.  Steven worked as a handyman and a house painter, where he was a perfectionist in his work.

As a child, Steven was very inquisitive and enjoyed taking things apart, but putting them back together, not always right. Steven enjoyed playing in the woods with neighborhood kids.  Steven always enjoyed reading and learning.  Steven also loved his pet dogs.  In school, Steven was considered the "class clown."  Steven once took his brother, Dean's, brand new bike apart, but could never get it put back together.  Steven enjoyed calling his sister, Karen, by nicknames he made up.  "Mutt" was the nickname that stuck, and the last thing they each said to each other was, "I love you, Mutt."  Steven loved to tease his little brother, Jeff, and in the winter used to shoot his army men, with rubber bands, into the fireplace.  His favorite holiday was Christmas and when the Sears Wish Book would arrive, he would spend hours looking through it to make a list of what he wanted.  Steven also loved the 4th of July, and enjoyed setting fireworks off.

Steven enjoyed teasing people and making them laugh. Things were never boring when Steven was around.  Steven enjoyed any outdoor sports, such as hunting, fishing and boating with his friends and especially with his Grandma and Poppy Bryant.  Steven's hobbies were woodworking, reading any book that he could learn from, and westerns for enjoyment.  His favorite place to read was his recliner.  Steve enjoyed watching television, and some of his favorite shows were "Gold Rush," nature and science shows.  One of Steven's favorite movies  was "Big Jake" with John Wayne and he enjoyed reading in his recliner for hours.   Steven liked to learn about classic cars and Alaska.  Steven's favorite food was the fried chicken his mom made.  He also liked jello cakes, vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup, apricots and applesauce.

Steven struggled with alcoholism for most of his life, until three years ago, when he completely quit drinking. A strong belief in God helped Steven stay sober. Steven believed to stand in faith, even when you're having the hardest time of your life.  Steven had a unique look, wearing his hair long, with scraggly hair and beard.  When asked about the cut on his nose, he saw two people fighting and decided to try to break up the fight, which ended with Steven getting cut by one of them with a knife.

"There are moments which mark your life; moments when you realize nothing will ever be the same and time is divided into two parts: BEFORE this and AFTER this."

At the time of his death, Steven was living with his mother, who was caring for him. They enjoyed watching television together and planned for him to build a workshop and make wooden toys.

The family would like to especially thank Dr. Benjamin Powers, Steven's oncologist, who he had great respect for . When Steven was diagnosed with cancer, Dr. Powers worked closely with Steve and with the help he provided, along with many people praying for him, he survived almost three years longer than the doctors thought he would. The family would also like to thank the VA hospital staff for taking great care of him, especially in the days before his death.

Steven requested that he be cremated and family and friends will spread his ashes this spring at Kaw Point, where he enjoyed going boating and spending time with his friend, Mark Gauger.

Celebration of life to be held on February 21st at 10:00 AM at Abundant Harvest Church.

Abundant Harvest Church
4830 Shawnee Drive
Kansas City, KS 66106