Leon Serle Bryant
June 22, 1949 ~ February 17, 2021
Leon Serle Bryant was born in Akron, Ohio, on June 22, 1949, the third child from the union of Clyde H. Bryant and Daisy Bryant, who preceded him in death.
Leon departed this life on February 17, 2021 at Banner Estrella Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He had retired from Arizona State University with over 20 years of service.
To know him was to love him. Leon loved people, and he was a joyous person who had a great talent for making friends with anyone.
Leon will be lovingly remembered by his fiancée Johnnie Funderburg of Dallas, Texas; brother and sister-in-law, Clyde H. Bryant and Nancy A. Bryant of Waddle, Arizona; and sister, Cynthia A. Butler of Detroit, Michigan; granddaughter Sessily Elbeck of Houston, Texas; and many nephews and nieces.
Arrangements: Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, Arizona 85338.
Tucson Badgers football players on the bus after winning the 1966 State Championship game. Leon Bryant on far right.
THS '67 Webmaster
Although I have not been able to find an obituary, Leon's brother Clyde informed me that Leon passed away in February 2021. I will research his cause of death. Leon became a Badger shortly after moving to Tucson from Ohio in 1963. He played with us in football as a Freshman but started to show star potential on the JV team. Leon was one of only 5 Juniors to start on the 1965 undefeated football state championship team, and he was selected as first team All-City on defense. In 1966 he was hurt for the first 2 games and did not play. Not coincidentally, we lost our only game (to Phoenix Union) in the second week. He came back and helped lead us to our second straight championship. Then he was selected first team All-State.
Leon graduated from Arizona State University and worked for them in student services for his entire career.
Leon was a complex man capable of great humor, laughing at himself as much or more than anyone else, however he was also capable of anger at injustices and great determination to undo them. I must publicly apologize to Leon for something I said as a 13 year old. I knew that he was capable of much more than he was showing as a Freshman in football, so I tried to encourage him by telling him that he was a very good football player and should have been starting. Then I said not to be lazy, but I used a much worse word to convey that. Leon and I were very good friends, and he pointed the incident out to me in later years in high school. After I apologized to him privately he forgave me for my youth and STUPIDITY! Because of his forgiveness, there was no permanent damage to our friendship. My parents welcomed him into our home, and his parents welcomed me into their home and regaled us with stories of their youth, including their courtship. Whenever I hear Edwin Starr's 25 miles to Go, I think of them and Leon.
His passing is the end of an era in a way. All four of our first team All-Staters are now gone. Bill Dawson, Greg Leavitt, Dave Carlson and Leon. They all live in my heart, more as great friends than as football heros!
With Love,
Ron Curry
Joyce Barton (Ormes)
Ii do remember him and so sorry to hear of his passing. We have lost so many and I pray for their families.Martha Moothart (Swartz)
I am very sorry to hear of Leon's passing. He was a great football player and a wonderful high school friend. My condolences to his frends and family.
Sylvia Navarrette (Ferber)
I am so saddened to read about Leon's passing. I recall having several classes with him. He was always friendly and funny. I remember him teasing me about something or other. We shared many laughs and I am happily enjoying the memories right now. My sincere condolenses to his family. Leon was a great football player but more importantly, a real friend!! He will be missed.
Sylvia Navarrette Ferber