09/13/2026
It is with great sadness that we let you know that one of our members has passed. Jay Bryant husband of Christi Bryant, OBAR past President has left a hole in our hearts with his passing. He was not only a member but a willing and helpful volunteer, he was someone that was there when you needed him. He will be missed! Please join us in sending Christi and his family our prayers and love during this difficult time.
Johnny Cameron Bryant Jr. “Jay”, age 64, of Kill Devil Hills, passed away on September 10th, 2026, peacefully at home surrounded by family. Jay was born on March 2, 1962, in Windsor, North Carolina. He was the son of Johnny Bryant, Sr. and Mildred Stalls.
Jay grew up in Askewville, North Carolina, and attended Williamston High School. Jay spent 40 years in HVAC, working across Eastern North Carolina. He helped bring numerous people into the trade and was revered locally for his expertise. In his later years, many friends and colleagues would FaceTime him for his help regardless of what company they worked for at the time. Jay was a trusted mentor to many. However, the person he was most proud to have trained and helped start in HVAC was his son, Paul Bryant. After Paul started his own business, Jay would often drive to Greenville, NC, to help on jobs, train, and supervise.
Jay married Christi on November 1, 2006. They shared nearly 20 wonderful years together and were very much head over heels for one another. Their marriage undoubtedly grew sweeter as the years went on, they were inseparable and the very best friends.
More than anything else in the world, Jay loved being a Granddaddy, and anyone who knew him would agree. Jay would do anything and go anywhere to spend time with his grandchildren. On numerous occasions, he drove to Charlotte only to turn around and drive right back to the Outer Banks so he wouldn't miss a soccer game, school event, or just because Wren asked Granddaddy to come over. He was the very best Granddaddy, and his family will cherish the memories that he took great care in creating with his grandchildren.
Jay loved motorcycles, a love which was passed onto his sons Paul and Christopher very early in their lives and continued to be pillar in their relationship. One of Jay’s fondest memories, and what he most often shared with others, was the trip he took with Paul and Christopher on their bikes from the Outer Banks to Daytona Beach Biketoberfest in 2018.
Over the years Jay enjoyed many special trips with his family including spending time on a lake in upstate New York, the mountains of North Carolina, and going to several Charlotte Hornets basketball games with his daughter Caroline.
Jay spent the last 10 years of his life living in Kill Devil Hills. He loved the Outer Banks and was an active member of the community. He loved the beach and going for bike rides with his wife or for walks with Oliver, who, by Jay’s account, is the very best little dog. He enjoyed working with his wife and even received his own realtor’s license, allowing them to become a real estate team on the Outer Banks.
Jay is survived by his wife, Christi; children, Caroline Synakowski and son-in-law Kyle Synakowski, Paul Bryant and daughter-in-law Michelle Bryant, Christopher Bryant and daughter-in-law Jenna Gallager, Mia Bryant, and Scott Bryant; grandchildren, Wren Synakowski, Christian Leggett, and Clayton Carlsen; and siblings, Christa Dally (Danny Dally), Michael Bryant (Debbie Bryant), and Stephen Bryant (Ashley Bryant) as well as many loved nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny Bryant Sr. and Mildred Stalls, and his sister, Frances Annette Bryant.
In lieu of flowers his family has asked that donations be made in his name to the Beach Food Pantry in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Announcements to come on the date and time of his celebration of life. Please leave a message of comfort at gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services was entrusted with arrangements.
