RAYMOND ARTHUR BRYAN JR.
June 24, 1931-March 30, 2016
Raymond Arthur Bryan Jr., chairman of T.A. Loving Co., died at Wayne Memorial Hospital March 30, 2016.
Ray, son of Raymond Arthur Bryan and Ruby Morris Bryan, was born June 24, 1931, in Goldsboro, N.C.
Growing up in Goldsboro, Ray earned his Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 6, and was a varsity letterman with the Goldsboro High football team, from which he graduated in 1949.
After high school, Ray received his Bachelor of Science degree in construction from North Carolina State University in 1953.
A war veteran, Ray served dutifully as a United States Army first lieutenant in Korea during 1954 and 1955.
Upon his return, he married Jo Ann Collier of Pikeville, N.C., May 21, 1955.
Around the time of his marriage, Ray joined his father in the construction business, and went to work for T.A. Loving Co., a privately held company founded in 1925. T.A. Loving is well known for its construction of many esteemed projects across North Carolina, most recently including Campbell University's Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, North Carolina State University's Wendell H. Murphy Football Center, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Loudermilk Center for Excellence and Kenan Blue Zone and the James and Connie Maynard Children's Hospital at Vident Medical Center in Greenville.
Succeeding his father, Ray became president of T.A. Loving in 1969, and successfully managed the company for 19 years before assuming the role of chairman of the board in 1988.
Thereafter, Ray would never relinquish his office, and remained active in the business of the company up until his death.
In addition to his work with T.A. Loving, Ray served as director of First Union Corp. in Charlotte and Goldsboro and Durham Life Insurance Co., and was a member of Norfolk-Southern Corp. advisory board. He was also president of Aviation Fuel Terminals Inc. in Beaufort, N.C., and a major partner in ventures such as Cameron Village Corp. and North Hills Inc. in Raleigh, N.C.
Outside of his business pursuits, Ray humbly dedicated himself to a life of civic and philanthropic leadership. Although not an alumnus, Ray served Campbell University for many years, holding several positions of leadership, including chairman of the board of trustees and chairman of the executive committee, and was a member on the business affairs and advancement committees.
For his years of service and support, Campbell awarded him the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Citizen's Award in 1988 and an honorary Doctorate of Laws in 2015.
A proud graduate of North Carolina State University and lifetime member of the Alumni Association, Ray was a founding member of the State Club and a charter partner of the Lonnie Poole Golf Course.
Ray served his beloved university as a member of the North Carolina State University Foundation Board, Coalition 2000 and the College of Engineering Advisory Council and Dean's cabinet.
He was a former director of the North Carolina State Engineering Foundation Board, former vice president of the North Carolina State University Student Aid Association and past president of the Wolfpack Club and the Development Board.
In 2007, North Carolina State awarded Ray with the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award, and named him the College of Engineering Alumnus of the Year. Ray was also the 2013 recipient of the university's Godwin Red Torch Award for volunteering with distinction to further the mission of the North Carolina State University Foundation.
In addition to all of his years of service, Ray was an unwavering supporter of North Carolina State athletics, and could often be found courtside at basketball games or in the stands at Carter Finley Stadium.
In his hometown of Goldsboro, Ray served as president of the Wayne County Boys and Girls Club, president of the Salvation Army Advisory Board and a board member of the Chamber of Commerce and YMCA.
Through the generosity of the R.A. Bryan Foundation, Ray organized the support of education, faith and healthcare across North Carolina.
Notably, Ray was a man of strong faith, and dedicated himself to the growth and support of Goldsboro First Baptist Church.
Above his many accomplishments, those who loved Ray knew him as a man of passion, music and fun, a lover of practical jokes and an admirer of all things beautiful; he marched through life to the beat of his own drums, and enjoyed getting along with people of all walks of life.
An avid golfer, Ray spent much of his free time golfing and entertaining friends in Pinehurst and on the coast in Morehead City.
As a young man, Ray was a avid outdoorsman, and loved hunting throughout Eastern North Carolina. His appreciation for beauty unsurprisingly fostered a love of photography, a skill that he mastered with skilled dedication. Ray never strayed far from family, friends and good times.
Ray is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jo Ann Collier Bryan; three children, sons, Raymond Arthur Bryan III (wife, Kymbra) of Wilmington and Stephen Collier Bryan (wife, Kaye) of Goldsboro, and daughter, Ann Bryan Huffman (husband, Steve) of Raleigh.
In addition, five grandchildren, Sasha White (husband, Doug), Hannah Littlewood (husband, Grey), Stella Gardner, Perri Bryan and Madison Bryan, and two great-grandchildren, Xander White and Preston White.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Raymond Arthur Bryan IV.
There will be a private burial, followed by a memorial service to celebrate Ray's life held at First Baptist Church in Goldsboro at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 3, with Dr. Glenn Phillips officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to First Baptist Church and Campbell University.
The family expresses heartfelt appreciation for caregivers Gloristeen Isler and Patricia Newkirk.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on April 3, 2016 11:00 AM