James Richard “Rick” Bryant, of Clarksville, TN, passed away on July 31, 2017 at his residence.
No services are planned. His remains will reside with his mom and dad in his childhood home.
He was born on May 21, 1974 to James Dale Bryant and Barbara Johnson Bryant.
He graduated a semester early from Clarksville High School, attended Nashville Auto Diesel College, and later graduated with an Industrial Maintenance Degree from Tennessee Technology Center, Clarksville campus (now Tennessee College of Applied Technology).
He was a former supervisor at All American Homebuilders and later worked at Florim as an industrial electrician. His occupational love for all things electric led him to start his own business in 2008, Sango Electric and More LLC. He was a state of Tennessee licensed electrician. His specialties were troubleshooting any complex electrical issue, reading schematics, and doing commercial electrical jobs. He had a love of learning anything new and challenging and researching on the internet any subject in mechanical or electrical or any phase of homebuilding.
His mom always said, “Call Rick, he can fix anything.” He was also HVAC certified and an EPA lead abatement specialist. He delighted in keeping abreast of the latest in codes and regulations and most loved to work with customers who were futuristic in their requests, especially with LED technology.
Gladly sharing knowledge with others, Rick was called upon to be an adjunct instructor at the technology school from which he graduated. He loved to help others, often offering services to stranded motorists or picking up loose dogs to return to their homes. He did pro bono work for lower income elderly and disabled. He was a man who followed old fashioned virtues of truth and honesty and workmanship he could be proud of.
He loved his mom and dad and family dearly and was always around to help whenever necessary, always seeking to prod the parents into the 21st century. He most admired his maternal grandfather, Sam Johnson. Rick lived by his example.
Rick was baptized at Hilldale Baptist Church. He was a boy scout of troops 503 and 514, earning the rank of life scout. He loved animals, camping and serenity of nature. His greatest vacation spot was a cabin in Gatlinburg. He loved to eat lunch by the stream at Rotary Park and overnight tent camping with someone special at Port Royal. He loved 1980s music, playing old arcade games, watching old scary movies and vintage TV reruns. He was PADI scuba certified. He collected anything vintage and antique, especially Budweiser and tools used by his grandfather’s generation. His hobbies were woodworking, welding, working on old cars and go-carts, with a garage fully stocked with tools to support his interests.
His idea of a great meal was one he created on the grill. He loved to cook for others, but would challenge those to eat extra spicy hot condiments. Jalapenos were something one could always find in his kitchen and were usually a part of every dish. Loving to prank people and joking around were his main traits, but “nice guy” was the most often repeated description.
He is survived by his mom and dad; sister, Cheryl; nephews, Dakota and DJ; and his canine buddies, Minnie and Dingo, both rescues.
There are no words to describe the loss of a son while parents are still living. The void is unfillable, the sorrow never depleted and the tears never dry. May our son rest in peace and wait for us to be with him again. We are so proud to have been your parents and eternally grateful and forever blessed to have known you, son.
Arrangements are entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040.