Lester Merill Bryan

On October 18, 2025, Lester Merill Bryan of South Weber, Utah, passed away at his home at the age of 98. He was born November 26, 1926, at home in Ogden, Utah, to Merill Richard Bryan and Gertrude Margaret Gordon Ward. He was raised in Ogden where his father was superintendent of the Ogden Utah Stock Yards, and his mother was owner/operator of the Key City Grill. It was there he met Norma Marsing in 1941 when she came to work at the grill. They were married in 1943 and shared close to 75 years together before her passing in 2018.

He graduated from Ogden High School, attended Weber College, Weber State University, Ohio State University Extension, and continued his education throughout his life including The Great Courses.

Lester served in the US Navy during WWII in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater as radar operator and electronic repair.

He operated materiel loading equipment at Clearfield Naval Supply Depot. Accountant for Regal Fruit Cooperative, Tonasket, Washington. Chief of Flight Test Inspections Hill AFB, which required taking test flights with military pilots. Logistics Specialist on various weapons including B26, F89, and F101. Program Manager for F4 Military Sales. Chief Plans and Program F16 at the time of retirement. Real estate agent, broker/owner of Bryan Realty.

Following retirement Lester and Norma enjoyed many memorable years travelling and researching genealogy.

Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Life member of the American Legion Baker- Merrill Post 9, VFW Post 1481, Charter and life member of BPOE Golden Spike Lodge 719, and member of The Society of Forty Men or Eight Horses Voiture Locale 404.

Survived by his children, Lester Merill Bryan Jr. (Nancy); Cheryl Ann Bybee (Lance); Johnny Craig Bryan (Cheri); Alona Rae Burton; and Norma Jean Rice; 15 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, and 16 great-great-grandchildren with two on-the-way; and sisters-in-law, Sherma Lee Eves and Joyce Marie Marsing;

Lester was preceded in death by his wife; sons-in-law, Scott Allen Burton and Tracy Paul Rice; granddaughter, Cheryl Jean Bybee Wood; grandson, Adam Craig Bryan; his parents; sister, Alola Louise (Lloyd) Harris; and three half-brothers, Harry Richard Ward, Ralph Eugene Ward, and Edmund Gordon (Ardele) Ward.

Special thanks to the Ogden VA Clinic and staff, Caregiver Support Network, Assisting Hands, and Gary and Helen Schenck.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Thursday from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.