Daniel Clayton Bryan, man of faith, integrity
Daniel Clayton Bryan, 72, of Georgetown, went to be with his Lord and Savior while surrounded by his family Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at Beebe Healthcare, following a recent acute illness complicated by extended health challenges.
Danny was born July 11, 1951, to the late Clayton Raymond and Kathleen Workman Bryan in Milford Hospital. He grew up spending considerable time on his family’s farm near Georgetown and loved being alongside his late uncle, Ralph, and grandfather, Elwood Workman. He enjoyed little more than being outside on a tractor, choosing to trade baseball for more time in the fields. After graduating from Millsboro High School in 1969, Danny then attended University of Delaware in Newark. After completing his bachelor’s degree in business, he began his career in the agriculture industry working first for Southern States and then for several decades for Milford Fertilizer Company, later known as Agway, in various positions. During these years, he was appointed to and served on the State of Delaware Pesticide Advisory Committee for several terms.
In 1978, he married Debra Pittard Bryan and they made their home in Georgetown. During their 45 years of marriage, they enjoyed traveling and visited 49 of the 50 states, and several foreign countries. He took pleasure in sports, following select MLB, NFL, NCAA basketball and NASCAR race teams over the years, and was afforded opportunities to attend several World Series, NCAA Final Four, Indy 500, and NASCAR events. Danny was a hard worker, faithful son and son-in-law, and devoted provider for his wife and children. He never shied away from serving in whatever role he could to assist his family. He was a man of tremendous integrity and faith in God, and imparted the importance of these virtues to his children. In recent years, he took delight in his five young grandchildren and longed for improved health to join them in their fun.
Danny is survived by his wife, Debra; children, Erin (Brian) Sutliff of Lakeland, Fla., and Tyler (Ashley) Bryan of Georgetown; grandchildren, Molly, Holden and Nora Sutliff, and Benjamin and Eloise Bryan; brother, David Bryan of Georgetown; sister, Sarah (Eric) Beyeler of Wilmington; sister-in-law, Elaine (Marty) Mattocks of Dover; aunt, Joan Bryan of Seaford; nieces, Elise (Liam) Beyeler of Temecula, Calif., and Anne Marie Beyeler of Austin, Texas; nephew, Chad Betts of Milton; and a host of cousins.
Services will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 28, at Short Funeral Services, 609 E. Market St., Georgetown, with visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery, Georgetown. Family and friends are invited to a reception at The Landing at Plantation Lakes, 20301 Charlotte Blvd., Millsboro, immediately following the burial service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shepherd’s Office, 408 N. Bedford St., Georgetown, DE 19947.
Online condolences are welcome for the family at shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com.
