Dr. Philip Ray Bryan, of Lebanon, Ohio, previously of Jacksonville, Texas, passed away May 20. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1956 by the Missionary Baptist Church at Norman, Okla. He pastored churches in Oklahoma, New York, Texas, California and Mississippi. He also served as dean of the Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, Miss., and was elected the vice president of the Council of Southwestern Theological Schools. In addition, he traveled to preach and teach extensively throughout the southern United States and helped prepare ministers for service in Russia, Mexico, Eastern Europe, Belarus and Myanmar (formerly Burma).
He earned an Associate of Arts from Jacksonville Baptist College (1956); a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oklahoma (1958); a Bachelor of Divinity from the BMA Seminary (1962); and a Master of Arts (1966) and a Doctor of Philosophy (1973) from Baylor University. His doctoral research concluded with a dissertation entitled An Analysis of the Ecclesiology of Associational Baptists, 1900-1950.
Dr. Bryan was best known for his continuing relationship with the BMA Seminary where he endeavored to pass on his faith through gifts of teaching and administration. At the seminary he completed his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1962 and began to serve as a part-time instructor before accepting full-time teaching responsibilities in 1963. Twice he served as the seminary’s dean-registrar (1967-75, 1979-83) and then as president beginning in 1983. Retiring from administration duties in 1999, he returned to the classroom as a professor of theological-historical studies until full retirement, teaching students in New Testament Greek, theology, church history, and biblical surveys.
Survivors include: his wife of almost 63 years, Ida Janice (Finley) Bryan of Lebanon, Ohio; three sons, Dr. Jeffrey Alan (Jacquelyn) Bryan (1962) of Lebanon, Ohio; Dr. Joel Arthur (Shannon) Bryan (1963) of Muncie, Ind.; and Jon Foster (Tami) Bryan (1967) of Greenville, S.C.; a brother, William Patrick Bryan; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville, Texas on May 31 with Dr. Jeffrey Bryan and Dr. David Hallum officiating. Burial was at Martin’s Prairie Cemetery in Grimes County.
