Ottis Bryan

Rev. Ottis N. Bryan

December 24, 1936- August 16, 2024

Retired Choteau pastor and rancher, Ottis Newton Bryan, 86, died August 16, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer's and developing pneumonia. He passed peacefully at Teton Medical Center with family by his side.

The funeral will be held at Choteau Baptist Church on August 25th at 2 p.m. followed by a short reception, the family will have a private burial at the Beck Community Cemetery in Power.

Ottis was born to Ottis and Thelma Bryan on December 24th, 1936, in Downsville, Louisiana. In his early years, he was active in high school baseball and family farm. After graduating from Downsville High School in 1954. He completed his education in theology, receiving his Master of Divinity degree at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1964, then completed his master's in psychology.

In 1958, while attending Seminary, he met Sylvia A. Newman, a student at Louisiana College. Becoming best friends and discovering their love of the ministry, they were married on August 21st, 1959, and were married for 62 years.

They raised four children, Ottis N. Bryan, Vance K. Bryan, Jeffery K. Bryan, who died as an infant, and Sondra L. Holmes.

In 1965, Ottis began his ministry in Mt. Clemmens, Michigan at the Moravian Drive Baptist Church. Between 1968 and 1977, Ottis and Sylvia were called to serve in Bay City, Michigan at Bangor Baptist Church and then to Portage, Michigan at Portage Baptist Church. In 1977, the family moved to Choteau to help run Sylvia's father's ranch. During this time, he continued his calling as interim pastor at several Baptist churches in the area including Browning and Great Falls. He was soon called back to Michigan to Bethel Baptist Church where he oversaw their ministry for over 4 years. In 1987 the Bryan family moved back to Choteau to run and eventually own Sylvia's father's ranch. In 1988, Ottis began pastoring full-time at the Choteau Baptist Church where he served his church and community for 22 years.

Ottis had many hobbies in his life, including hunting and raising mules. After retiring he moved on to write articles for the Acantha and became an avid arborist.

Ottis is preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia N. Bryan; their son, Jeffery K. Bryan, and 7 siblings.

He is survived by an older sister Ethel Roubion and a younger sister, Sissy Creech. His children, Ottis N. Bryan of Dallas, Texas, Van K. Bryan of Bozeman, and Sondra L. Holmes of Choteau; his grandchildren, Brittney K. Lewis, North E. Bryan, Shane V. Bryan, Haley E. Wheeler, and Anna R. Bryan and 7 great-grandchildren.