Obituary of Norman Neil Bryson

Norman Neil Bryson (Neil)

August 3, 1930-January 19, 2019

Neil passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 19, 2019, at the age of 88, from causes incident to age.  Neil was born August 3, 1930, to Allen and Corilla Bryson.  He grew up in Bountiful, Utah, and helped his father grow produce and sell it at Market.  He started working for Coy Hayward at the tender age of 8 years old after school, standing on a wooden orange crate in the meat department, wrapping meat.  He also worked for many years with horses, breaking them, training them and getting them ready for show.  He had a great love for animals, especially horses, and loved every minute he got to spend with them.  He graduated from Davis High School.

He married Janet Bird and they had eight children together.  Neil and Janet later divorced.  Neil served his country in the Air Force during the Korean War as an airplane mechanic.  After his time in the Air Force, Neil continued his career in the grocery business, working many years for Safeway as a store manager in Ontario.  In his later years he returned to work at that same store, though it was then Red Apple.  

Neil married Maxine Hiatt Ray, combining their families for a total of 12 children.  Neil and Maxine made their home in Vale, where they owned and operated Neil’s Fine Foods for 29 years.  Many of their children and grandchildren worked in the store, where they learned by Neil’s example to be good workers and have good work ethics.

Neil was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He served faithfully in many callings throughout his life including Bishoprics, ward missionary, High Counselor, many teaching positions, and was a devout home teacher.  He and Maxine served a two-year mission in Nigeria and had great experiences in Africa.  After returning home from their mission, they served together in the Boise Temple for four years.

Neil continued to work at the Red Apple and did not retire until he was 83 years old.  Even after he retired, he grew corn in his garden and donated it his friends, neighbors and the nursing home in Vale.  He had a great love of children and delighted in making them giggle by barking like a dog, whinnying like a horse, yodeling, and always had an all-day sucker for them when they came into his store.  He was deeply loved and respected by his community, and especially by his children. 

Neil is survived by his daughters Lori Ohumukini and Valerie Brinton, son Russell Bryson, stepsons Gordy, Perry, and Wade Ray, Stepdaughter Lori Moore, brothers Wally, Dean, and Wayne Bryson, sister Julie Hart, and numerous grandchildren.  Neil was preceded in death by his loving wife, Maxine, sons Douglas, Benjamin, David, James, and Coy Bryson, sister Afton Smith, Brothers David and Newell Bryson. 

A viewing will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints in Vale from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 2, 2019, with funeral services at 11.  Internment at Valley View cemetery, Vale, Oregon.  Services under the direction of Lienkaemper Chapel, Vale. The family would like to thank Signature Hospice for their help in caring for Neil over the last few months.