Oscar Henry Bryan Jr., 90, of Shallotte, formerly of Hamlet, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at McLeod-Seacoast Hospital, Little River, South Carolina.
He was born in Hagerstown, Maryland on June 26, 1936, son of the late Oscar Henry Bryan Sr. and Olive Elliott Durbrow.
Oscar proudly served in the United States Army for 22 years, bringing the same pride, excellence, and dedication to raising his children to be hardworking, responsible, and resilient. He served with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he served in the Vietnam War, and also served with the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He had a great love for jumping out of airplanes.
A talented artist and master carpenter, Oscar enjoyed leatherwork, drawing, and woodworking. He created many cherished pieces for his family, including a toddler-sized table and chairs for his youngest daughter, Dawn, that has been enjoyed by three generations of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Oscar also loved riding his motorcycle and taking his children along for the adventure. His daughter Kandy fondly recalled, “I loved the days when Dad and I rode over the railroad tracks on the back of his motorcycle at Fort Bragg. It felt like we were flying. Those were wonderful days.”
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Hope Bryan; daughters, Debra Thurston and Teresa Doyle; grandson, Brent Lee Bailey; and siblings, Al and Jeanne.
Left to cherish Oscar’s memory are his children, Crystal Hutchings (John) of Fayetteville, Kandy Evans (Ricky) of Sanford, Dawn Turnley of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Michelle Smith of Shallotte, David Smith of Hamlet, and Lori Smith of Shallotte; 18 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 20, 2026, from noon-1 p.m. at Harrington Funeral Home, Hamlet.
The funeral service will immediately follow visitation, at 1 p.m., in the chapel of Harrington Funeral Home with Pastor Scott Conner officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will follow at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Sandhill Road, Rockingham.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.
Online condolences may be made at harringtonfuneralhome.com.
