Bruce Wayne Bryan

Bruce Wayne Bryan, 61, passed away on February 10, 2024 after a two-year battle with small cellcarcinoma.Born on June 21, 1962 to Jerry Duane Bryan and Janice Ruth Shewey in Fairview, Oklahoma, BruceWayne Bryan lived a life far more colorful and vibrant than his “Dark Knight” namesake would lead manyto believe. He graduated from Tipton High School in 1981, and went on to attend Cameron University inLawton, Oklahoma. He went from raising pigs on a remote farm to serving them on pizzas at Chuck E.Cheese, where his life took an unexpected but fortuitous turn when he met his soulmate (though neitherone of them knew it in the moment), Kim Elizabeth Bryan. After nearly 2 years of courtship, the couplesaid “I do” on August 16, 1985 and quickly began their new adventure together by moving to the LastFrontier just a few months after. It was in Anchorage, Alaska, where Bruce and Kim would lay their rootsfor the next 38 years.Beyond his professional pursuits, Bruce was a man of many talents and passions. He wore his love of theDallas Cowboys on his sleeve (sometimes quite literally) and could not resist a medium-rare filet mignon– especially when it was paired with a mean martini. Whether he was shredding down mountainsides onskis, catching 46lbs king salmon along the rapids of the Kenai River, or delving into the inner workings ofcomputers, he approached each challenge with determination and gusto. He even carved his niche inthe digital realm, running his own gaming server he cheekily dubbed Older Than Dos, where he madelife-long friends with people from all walks of life whom he united through their love of gaming.And that’s perhaps where Bruce’s greatest gift lay: his ability to connect with others. He had a magneticpersonality and razor-sharp wit that endeared him to just about everyone he met. He could strike up aconversation with anyone and after just a handful of minutes, they’d have their own personalized secrethandshake and inside joke. Nothing better exemplifies this trait than the fact that, despite Kim having 3older brothers, Bruce effortlessly claimed the title of “favorite son” from his both of his in-laws – muchto the chagrin of the brothers.In the face of adversity, Bruce fought with the same tenacity that marked his life. For two years, hebattled small cell carcinoma, all while maintaining his trademark humor and sarcasm. In his finalmoments, surrounded by his loved ones and the dulcet tones of his favorite band Pink Floyd, Bruce bidfarewell to this world and went on a new, ethereal adventure. While our hearts ache at his departure,we find solace in the memories made and the impact he left behind. Bruce Wayne Bryan may havedeparted this life, but his laughter, his wit, and his indomitable spirit will forever echo in the hearts of allthose who were lucky enough to know him.Bruce was preceded in death by his father and mother, and many pet pigs.He is survived by his beloved wife, Kim Bryan; their daughter, Alyssa Bryan; his younger sister, MundyRoss-Fernandez; his nephew, Dalton Ross; his uncle, Jack Bryan; many cousins, nieces, nephews; and thehundreds of pet shrimp that he raised.In lieu of a service, his family asks that a donation be made in his name to the St. Jude’s ChildrenResearch Hospital and the F C Cancer Foundation.