John F. Bryan IV died on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Vancleave, Mississippi. John was born Oct. 22, 1949, in Mobile, Alabama, the son of John "Red" and Agnes Bryan. He grew up in Pascagoula and graduated from Pascagoula High School in 1967. He received a BA degree in psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi and graduated from the "Ole Miss" Law School. He practiced law in Jackson County for 17 years as a family attorney and was active with the youth court.
He loved the Gulf Coast and the barrier islands. He learned to sail when he was 10 and has been a sailor since. He disliked cold, wet weather so he gave up practicing law, moved onto his boat the Adhara, and set sail. He could make/fix just about anything, and, instead of doing something for you, he would rather teach you how to do it so you could take care of it the next time. Most recently, John St. John, as he was called, was based out of St. John in the Virgin Islands.
After 14 years of many harbors and adventures in the Caribbean and as far south as Granada, he had to give up his boating life due to health issues. He was an accomplished musician; he played the guitar and had a lovely singing voice. He was a popular act in clubs on St. John, St. Thomas and Jost Van Dyke, and he had most recently entertained at the Biloxi Yacht Club on the Fourth of July and at Huck's in Gautier. Everywhere he went he either had a friend or he made a friend. John has friends everywhere.
He is preceded in death by his parents and is survived by two sisters, Jeannie Bryan Coe of Rockport, Texas, and Jo Bryan Rusin of Waveland, Miss. He is also survived by his best friend, Dan Westphal, and his wife, Carolyn Westphal, and a host of good friends.
He will be missed but his music continues. He taught us and he lived an important life lesson: live your life to the fullest and don't wait for "some day." Fair winds and following seas, John. www.john-saint-john.com
For information on a future memorial event at Huck's check In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a contribution to the charity of your choice.
