This is a better community because Norwood Bryan Jr. passed our way.
He sought no praise.
He expected no accolades.
“He was just one of those rare people that did the right thing for the community,” Mac Healey said about Bryan, the unassuming automobile dealership owner who never stopped believing in Fayetteville and Cumberland County being all it could be.
Bryan never stopped believing in tomorrow.
He just wouldn’t.
More simply said, he just couldn’t.
It was his way.
Fayetteville was home, and despite his travels, there was no place better to live, and Norwood Bryan Jr. was proud to tell you so.
Forever an Eagle Scout
Bryan was the eldest of three children born to Norwood Eason Bryan and Harriett Pearl Russ Bryan. He grew up in the home along Churchill Drive near Morganton Road.
He came to know the city streets by name.
He had an intrinsic love for animals, and a white pony named Tony. And a love of nature and the land and the coastal waters. He was a proud Boy Scout, with an Eagle badge on his chest, and a badge he wore with pride all his life. He believed in honor and self-integrity, and in keeping his word.
“On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law,” he lived the Boy Scout oath each day. “To help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
His three sons followed in his scouting footsteps, and his grandchildren, too. You never saw a prouder father and grandfather.
Norwood Bryan Jr. lived with a purpose.
He dared to dare.
He dared to dream.
Bryan earned his B.S. in American History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, served as a Navy lieutenant, and later headed to Yale University, where he earned his law degree. He planned to become a New York attorney, but he instead joined his brother, David, and father at Bryan Pontiac-Cadillac Co. (circa 1945) along W. Russell Street downtown.
The dealership thrived, but Bryan had his eye on Raleigh and the N.C. House, where he served from 1967-1974. He became known for his efforts in the General Assembly’s Fiscal Research Division in 1971, which provides independent financial analysis and oversight of state spending. And for his tireless work securing passage of the Coastal Area Management Act to protect the state’s coastal waters and estuaries.
The Woman by His Side
With his political career behind him, Bryan devoted himself to helping raise his sons and the family business that evolved into Bryan Honda in 1971.
Along the way, he met Mary Lynn McCree while on a business trip to Washington, D.C.
He was taken aback by her sharp mind, her love of history, and her no-nonsense but charming way.
“And I liked him,” she said.
They married January 1, 1981, and financially devoted themselves to just about every benevolence Fayetteville had to offer, from the Cumberland Community Foundation, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Methodist University, Cape Fear Botanical Garden, the North Carolina History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction Museum under construction along Arsenal Avenue in Haymount, and the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine.
Credit: Courtesy photo
“He gave us the first financial gift [of $1 million],” Stanley Wearden, the university president, said Friday. “And he called us. It was incredibly generous. He was a strong community leader and well respected. He thought others would follow.”
And others did with $1 million pledges, including Dr. Franklin Clark III, Ralph and Linda Huff, Dr. Wes and Lucy Jones, Murray and Nancy Duggins, Will Gillis, and the Cumberland Community Foundation.
Located along Village Drive behind Cape Fear Medical Center, the medical school opened June 11 and welcomed its first class of 64 students on July 20.
“When we first discussed the fundraising effort for the medical school, he asked me to provide a succinct summary of the need for a medical school in this community and the importance of local and meaningful contributions,” said Dr. Rakesh Gupta, a retired gastroenterologist, who played a critical role in bringing the medical school here. “He believed strongly that if he made the first impactful personal contribution, others would follow his lead. Indeed, this was the case, and I was incredibly grateful to have been the recipient of his and Mary Lynn’s generosity on behalf of the school.”
When there was a cause to make Fayetteville and Cumberland County a better community, Norwood Bryan Jr. was there.
He researched the need.
He did it quietly and asked nothing in return.
“Norwood’s many accomplishments and generous philanthropy are well known,” said Mary Holmes, who is president and chief executive officer of the Cumberland Community Foundation. “He took the lead on many initiatives throughout our state, including drafting the legislation that protects the North Carolina coastline and saving the North Carolina battleship in Wilmington.
“He also was a wonderful supporter of Mary Lynn’s big projects, including the Cumberland Community Foundation, Methodist University, the North Carolina History Center, and recently the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine.
“They were a powerful pair,” Holmes said, “and their tracks are deep in this community.”
‘I Will Miss Him’
Sons Eason, Callan, and Russ surprised their father on October 18 with a ride throughout town and to the dealership in their father’s prized 1976 Cadillac Eldorado.
“He said, ‘Look at that baby,’” said Eason Bryan, who now manages the dealership. “It was the best smile. It was pure joy.”
Norwood Eason Bryan died at his home on October 25.
He was 91.
A husband, father, grandfather, businessman, environmentalist, former state legislator, philanthropist, community leader, and an old Eagle Scout was remembered Saturday at St. John’s Episcopal Church downtown.
“I will miss him,” Mary Lynn Bryan said Friday. “I will miss his sense of humor.”
And sons will miss a father.
“I will miss learning from him,” Eason Bryan said. “He loved to share his knowledge. He loved to teach. I might not have always enjoyed his teaching methods, but I loved learning from Dad.”
Russ Bryan said he will miss a father’s prudent words.
“Just knowing he always had a bit of wisdom for me,” he said. “He was always teaching and always available to me.”
Callun Bryan said he will miss those moments when a grandfather wanted to know about his seven grandchildren.
“I’ll miss telling him about his grandkids and what they are doing,” he said. “He loved them and was very proud of them.”
Epilogue
A morning sunrise shone last week at Bryan Honda along Raeford Road, where employees solemnly gathered to remember the dealership owner.
“We will all have our last ride, but before we do, let’s take one lesson from my dad, Norwood,” Eason Bryan said. “A large part of a life well lived is service to others. So, be like dad in that way. Serve others. Help your neighbor. Be like the ‘Scout’ my dad was and ‘Do a good turn daily.”
So, off you go, old Boy Scout, with an Eagle badge upon your chest. Off you go. We’re a better community because you passed our way.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
