Leland R. Bryan

Leland R. Bryan, 84, died Sunday, May 30, 2010, at Tampa General Hospital from complications from a stroke. Born August 22, 1925 to Rembert Leigh Bryan and Mabel Spurgin Bryan in Bartow, FL. He attended public schools in Bartow where he participated in activities including the Summerlin Institute marching band, where he was first chair trumpet for a number of years. He was a WWII Army veteran serving in the European theater. He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries received during the harsh German winter. After V.E and V.J. Day he was hospitalized for recovery in Japan. Returning to Florida, he completed his degree at Stetson University in Deland where he met his future bride Vermelle Hart. After college Leland began employment with the U.S. Dept of Agriculture in South Florida. In 1954 he returned to Bartow to the family business, Lake Garfield Nurseries. Before her death in 2002, Vermelle and Leland enjoyed family watersports at Crooked Lake and vacationing in Little Switzerland, NC. In 1971, they moved to their home on Crooked Lake in which Leland designed. Leland was a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at First Baptist Church in Bartow, and later was a Deacon at First Baptist Church of Lake Wales. In 2002, Leland was married to Princess Hart. His older son Thom served as best man; his younger son Paul, who is a Circuit Judge, performed the ceremony. Leland and Princess lived at Crooked Lake for several years, more recently moving to Waters Edge in Lake Wales. Mr. Bryan is survived by his wife: Princess H. Bryan of Lake Wales; two sons: Thomas H. Bryan & wife Beth Summerlin Bryan of Kernersville, NC; Paul S. Bryan & wife Patricia Knight Bryan of Lake City, FL; three grandsons: Jason, Jordon & Jacob. The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 1, 2010 from 2-3 pm at the Lake Wales First Baptist Church, 338 E. Central Avenue. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 pm at the church. Interment will follow at Bartow Wildwood Cemetery.