Mark Bryant (February 9, 1952 – July 13, 2026)

February 9, 1952 – July 13, 2026

Mark Alan Bryant, 74, of Texarkana, Arkansas, passed away on July 13, 2026.

Mark was born on February 9, 1952, in Sherman, Texas, the youngest son of J Forrest and Joyce Bryant. He was a graduate of Austin College in Sherman, TX, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He met his wife, Kathy, at Austin College on a January-Term trip to Australia in 1972, and they were married soon afterward. Mark and Kathy lived in Texas and Oklahoma before making their home in Texarkana. Mark spent most of his life working as a manager and small business owner in the College Hill neighborhood, first as the manager of College Hill Drug, and then, for over 35 years, as an owner of College Hill Medical and College Hill Hardware.

He was committed to improving and advancing the College Hill community and its youth. He spent years mentoring boys through the Boys and Girls Club, coaching and sponsoring many tee-ball, basketball, and baseball teams for his son and his peers. He was an avid sports fan, and a die-hard Cowboys, Rangers, and Mavericks fan, and he always supported his Razorbacks in all sports. Even before owning a hardware store, he was the ultimate Mr. Fix-It, helping build his own home 50 years ago under the instruction of a master carpenter. He was always willing to help family, friends, neighbors, and customers with their special projects, providing his guidance and hands-on expertise. He especially enjoyed spending time on Lake Hamilton, teaching his kids, grandkids or anyone around how to water ski.

After retirement, Mark and Kathy loved to travel the country in their motorhome. Their favorite destinations were Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Arkansas’s lakes. He especially loved taking his 3 grandchildren on their motorhome adventures, making memories wherever they traveled.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, J Forrest Bryant and Joyce Bryant and his brother Steve Bryant.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 54 years, Kathy Jeanne Owen Bryant, his daughter Dr. Shelly Laine-Bryant Thannum and her husband Michael, his son Kevin Alan Bryant and his wife Amanda, his 3 grandchildren, Laney Bryant, Kaley Thannum, and Cooper Bryant, a brother Tim Bryant, plus numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 4:30- 6:00 PM, Sunday, July 19th, at the Texarkana Funeral Home on Texas Boulevard, Texarkana, TX. There will be a Memorial Service on Monday, July 20th, at 11:00 at First Presbyterian Church, 516 Pecan Street, Texarkana, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice.

Courtesy of Texarkana Funeral Home.