John 'Doc' Melvin Bryan

John "Doc" Melvin Bryan, 90, of Farmington passed away Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at Willard Walker Hospice Home. He was born Oct. 29, 1923, in Eads, Tenn., to William Bryan and Pearl Houston Bryan. During WWII he served in the Army from 1943-1944 and then the Navy from 1944-1946. He finished his military career as a medic for the United States Marines in the South Pacific. He then returned home and received his doctorate of veterinary medicine at Texas A&M. He took his first job in North Dakota where he met his wife, Agnes. They moved to Batesville to raise their family. He was a lifetime member of Knights of Columbus and a charter member of the Cowboy Hall of Fame. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Margaret Boykin; wife, Agnes Bryan; grandson, Bryan Boykin; and 12 brothers and sisters. Survivors include his children, Michael Bryan and wife, Marilyn, of Grafton, N.D., Billy Bryan and wife, Pam, of Bismarck, N.D., Mary Kay Jones and husband, Arch, of Batesville, Ark., Steve Bryan and wife, Trish, of Benton, Ark., Betty Morgan and husband, Bobby, of Farmington, Ark., Patricia Purdy and husband, Steve, of Farmington, Ark., and Laura Carpenter and husband, Jim, of North Little Rock; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. A memorial service with military honors will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, at the Fayetteville National Cemetery, with Father Les Farley officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Beard's Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 E. Longview St., Fayetteville, AR 72703. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.