Funeral services for Carlos W. Bryan, 98, of Aurelia, will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Aurelia, with Pastor Thomas Petersen officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Aurelia. The family will be present for visitation on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service at the First United Methodist Church. The Redig Funeral Home in Aurelia is in charge of arrangements.
Carlos Warren Bryan was born March 13, 1916 in Cedar, Iowa, the son of Leon J. and Lida Mae (Black) Bryan. Carlos graduated from the Cedar Consolidated High School in 1933, and from Central College in Pella in 1938. He began his first teaching job in Troy, IA, the first of several small towns. During his two years there he decided to work toward his principal’s certificate at Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, IA. On August 20, 1939 Carlos married Helen Geraldine Miller in Cedar Falls, IA. Carlos entered the Army on December 17, 1943 and was honorably discharged on May 21, 1946 as a Sergeant. He returned to being a principal-teacher, and to continuing his own education through North Texas State, Iowa State, and Drake University. He received his master’s degree and in 1952 assumed the position of superintendent for the Rembrandt School system. In 1960 he was offered, and accepted, the superintendent job in Aurelia where he would remain for the next 22 years until his retirement in 1982.
Carlos was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Aurelia, American Legion, and a past member of the Kiwanis Club, AASA and IASA. He enjoyed music, sports, and played horseshoes, tennis, and golf.
Carlos died Sunday, May 11, 2014, at the Sunset Knoll Care and Rehab Center in Aurelia where he had been a resident since 2009.
Preceding Carlos in death were his parents, his wife Helen on September 8, 2011, a sister Darlene in infancy, two brothers; Glen in childhood and Lelyn Bryan, and two sisters; Jean Cobb and Hazel Toler.
Survivors include his three sons; Steve and his wife Frances Bryan of New Canaan, CT, Scott and his wife Shuyuan Bryan of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Craig and his wife Nancy Bryan of Apple Valley, MN. Also surviving are five grandchildren; Christine and her husband Law Biddle, Laura and her husband Andy Podmolik, Emily Bryan, Peter Bryan, Jing Yao Zhou and her husband Bai Liang, two great-grandchildren; Bai Xin Yuan and Bai Xin He, nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.