of Clinton, AR

December 12, 1958 - April 17, 2025

Joseph Bryan Essary was born on Dec. 12th, 1958, in Lake Charles, Louisianna to Clyde and Louise Essary. As a child, they moved to the bootheel of MO, which proved to have better hunting spots. As the oldest of 5, Bryan quickly learned leadership skills that some might confuse with bossiness. He was deeply loved by his parents and sister, Teresa, who proceeded him in death. He leaves behind 3 dear brothers, Neil, Marty, and John, and a brother-in-law, Mike Barnes.

Bryan attended Portageville High School and graduated in 1977; his school pride and friendships never faded. He was a Bulldog to the very end. It was in that small town of Portageville that he would meet people who he would cherish the rest of his life, his very best friends, and most of all, his wife, Pam. Bryan and Pam were high school sweethearts and are still bitter, they didn't win the cutest couple their senior year. (We agree that they deserved it and would appreciate a recount.) He truly loved her, and although the odds were against them, they were happily married for almost 48 years. They had two daughters, Alyson and Christen. Bryan adored them and was at every game, play, and event cheering them on or telling them to toughen up. He thought they hung the moon, until they gave him grandchildren. Lizzy, Carson, and Rowden were the most precious people on the planet to him, and Bryan took his role of Pops extremely seriously. He loved nothing more than spending time with them outdoors hunting and fishing.

What will we remember most about Bryan? Bryan was an avid outdoorsman and loved being in the deer stand or duck blind more than anywhere else in the world. (Who needs Paris, France when he's got Turd Island??) In addition to his life-long hunting buddies, he loved sharing his knowledge and appreciation of nature with those who were wanting to try something new. Bryan was a loyal and loving husband, a true family man who always kept his promises, making him a great role model for his sons-in-law, Mike and Brian. He was known by many as Uncle Bryan or Pops, two roles he cherished. He had opinions on EVERYTHING, and lucky for us, he had never once been wrong in 66 years. He was a good person who valued hard work, telling the truth, and doing what you can for others. He liked jokes, and he really loved to laugh. Bryan was a devout Catholic, and his faith gave him much comfort and hope in his final days of battling cancer. Bryan will be missed by so many because he loved us all so well.

A funeral Mass and burial will take place in Portageville, Missouri at a later date. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to Catch-A-Dream Foundation.

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