A Charmed Life.
When you ask Harry Bryant to tell his story, you will get not one story but many stories. In his telling, Harry is somewhere in the middle of a developing story that starts with his father and continues with children and grandchildren. He can spin his tale with incredible memory of details including names and dates. He needs to be reminded to include details about himself because Harry focuses his story on family, friends and especially his wife, Ruby.
Harry’s father, Charles “Charlie” Bryant lived and worked on his father’s farm and grocery store in Iredell County. When Charlie was in the 8th grade he walked away from the farm to Charlotte, NC. There he went to work for Southern Power Company with is now Duke Power and learned electrical skills. During WWI, Charlie worked with E.I. Dupont in the shell loading plant in Virginia. He returned to the Charlotte area and went to work for Michael and Bivens in Gastonia in the electrical maintenance department. In 1929, Michael and Bivens went bankrupt. Although he was very young, Harry remembers the strike at Loray Mill and the trouble in New Orleans on a bridge site that was disrupted and led to the bankruptcy. Harry’s father, Charlie Bryant was pressured to close up his motor shop which had been part of Michael and Bivens but sternly sent a message that the shop would not close. On Feb. 1, 1930, Charlie Bryant opened Bryant Electric Repair Company which later became two companies: Bryant Electric Repair and Bryant Supply Company.
Harry was born in 1921. Always around and interested in electricity, Harry’s first job was at age 8 when his father paid him 3 cents per hour to clean at the company. Harry has been working ever since. By age 28, Harry was running the company after his father had been elected to the NC House of Representatives. Harry attended Gastonia High School, McCallie Preparatory School and UNC at Chapel Hill. Once he returned to Gastonia, he continued working with his father. Mr. Charlie Bryant held the opinion that the person answering the telephone for a business was a very important position because it represented the business. He became impressed with the person answering the phone at a certain mill in High Shoals. As it turned out, Ruby was periodically answering calls to the mill for her father when she was home from school. So impressed was Charlie Bryant that he hired the young lady. Ruby and Harry were married January 14, 1943. The same night, Harry received his draft notice. Harry would serve his country in the U.S. Army Air force and return home in October of 1945.
Harry and Ruby have raised three sons and one daughter. They will both exclaim, “thank God we had a daughter!” Their sons are Tom, Dick and Harry although not listed in birth order. Harry is very proud of his children and can trace their paths in great detail. Pictures of grandchildren and great grandchildren are shared from his IPad and it is easy to see the joy the Bryant family shares. Youngest son, Richard, is the only sibling to live outside of the Charlotte area. Richard also differs from his brothers and father since he attended NC State rather than UNC. His success in operating the largest independent brokerage firm in NC and SC has helped soften the blow of not attending UNC. Ever the tarheel fan, Harry Bryant has been a long time supporter of Carolina athletics and education. Carolina paraphernalia adorns his home and office. Photos with the likes of Dean Smith, Roy Williams and Larry Fedora are among the family photos Harry shares.
Harry and Ruby Bryant have given back to their community in many ways. Hesitant to talk about generosity, Harry feels that giving comes naturally. Harry has been very involved with the Shriners. In 1965, he served as Potentate. He commented that people would be very surprised to know all the good the Shriners do as an organization. Harry has also devoted time and talent to Gaston Country Club serving on the board for 8 years, then returning to the board for another two years. During his tenure the club was relocated and many changes and improvements were made. Harry is the oldest member at Gaston Country Club. First ARP in Gastonia is the home church for the Bryants. Harry credits his attitude towards caring for others as starting with the church.
Dr. William Current, Sr. credits his very existence to Southern Railway and Mr. Charlie Bryant. Charlie Bryant and Dr. Alfred Current were first cousins. Charlie Bryant recruited his cousin to come to Gastonia to practice dentistry. While practicing dentistry, his bride to be was traveling through Gastonia on Southern Railway to purchase a trousseau for her upcoming wedding. That wedding never happened. Instead, Dr. Alfred Current eventually proposed on the old Dallas highway to his future bride and now we have a history of three generations of dentistry in Gastonia.
When asked about his involvement with the Community Foundation, Harry talks about the simplicity of having a fund and the advantages of having the fund managed. “It just makes sense” Harry explains. Harry may not realize how his good nature positively affects the staff of the Community Foundation. Harry is a delight to work with and his attitude and kindness is appreciated.
Harry Bryant feels he has led a charmed life. His gratitude for many blessings is expressed in the telling of his story. Harry can name many childhood friends such as Chick Smith, Roy Kelly, Jack McCarver and Jimmy Moser. He remembers when a date consisted of a soft drink and a pack of nabs. Seven years ago, Bryant Supply was sold. That has not stopped Harry from going to work. He works at his office for a rental company he started and has no plans for retirement.
We can all learn some valuable lessons from Harry Bryant. He will be the first to say he has ordered his life in this way: God, family, work – and especially Ruby. Harry’s dedication to the priorities in his life is visible and can account for why he defines his life as “charmed”. He has served his country and his community. We are grateful to the Bryant family and for the example they set for future generations.
