Date of Death: October 16, 2019
Service Details
In accordance with family wishes cremation will be conducted and a private celebration of Jerome’s life will be held at a later date.
Obituary Notice
Jerome Curtis Bryant transitioned his life while surrounded in love on October 16th Centreville, MI at the age of 61.
Jerome is survived by his wife, Canary; children, Caressa (Matthew) and Jermaine (Jennifer); siblings, Yvonne, Yvette, Yolonda, and Yonee. He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
Jerome was born on May 17, 1958 in Kalamazoo, MI to Joseph and Mary Bryant. He married the love of his life, Canary in 1978. Over 41 years, the couple welcomed two children, who both married and added 4 grandchildren into their lives (Sadaya, Jalyn, Javon and Micah). His family remembers his loving presence, sharp sense of humor, and love of the Lord. He ended every phone with family by expressing his love, encouraging them to keep their head up and letting his kids know he was proud of them.
After graduating the Police Academy, Jerome began working for the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety in 1978 and after 27.5 years of public service retired as Captain. Jerome also loved working with area youth and spent several post retirement years working in local schools as a Dean of Students and providing foster care ministry along with his wife.
Additional Information
In lieu of flowers, please honor his legacy and ministry by sending donations to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission Capital Campaign at 448 N. Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Envelopes are available at Hohner Funeral Home.
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He shook hands with me at McDonald’s on Sprinkle Road in Kalamazoo. I remember him from Kalamazoo Valley Community College where I graduated in 1978.
Jerome was a man who made a positive impact everywhere he went. He wanted people to reach their full potential even when they didn’t see it in themselves. You will be missed brother!
Canary, I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of Jerome. Sending prayers for peace and comfort for you and your family. Please know that I’m thinking about you.
Barb ( Stuck ) Allen
It was great working with Jerome at Three Rivers Middle School for several years. He knew when to be firm with students and he knew when to be soft. His sense of humor made the day more fun. Every time anyone would ask him how he was, his response was always “mahvelous.” A strong man of God, I know he is safe and happy in heaven!
’til we meet again, RIP
I knew Jerome from 1st grade through high school. He was a leader even in elementary. He and I were captains of the safety patrol we were competitive even as kids. He was such a great person from a great family. My heartfelt condolences to his entire family. May he Rest In Peace.
To the family I am sorry for your loss Darlene my wife and I were classmates with Jerome at Loy Norrix he was always a good friend and well respected. May God and the Holy Spirit comfort you at this time our condolences
Yonee and Family, – I am so sorry to read of your brothers passing. He was a good man and Kalamazoo should be proud to have called him one of their own.
R.I.P man that hurt so bad bro he gave me so much man and like i was the kid that was messed up he saved me dawg ?
To the Family May God sustain you through your time of letting go and living with the memories of Jerome May the love and time he spent with you keep you in comfort.
My condolences to the Bryant family. I worked with Jerome for several years at the City of Kalamazoo. He was always a very professional, personable and knowledgeable KDPS officer/detective and Captain. RIH Jerome.
You have my deepest heartfelt sympathy. Jerome was always kind and friendly and it was a great pleasure working with Jerome at KDPS. Your are in my thoughts and prayers; 2 Cor. 1: 2 & 3.
We send our condolences to the Bryant family. May Yah grant you wisdom and strength to deal with this difficult time. Jerome was a great guy and will be greatly missed.
Life is a complete amusement park. Words you once told me when things didn’t see like it would stay in places I needed them. We conversed about my senior year plans early September in which we had the conversation about your well being. You never lost hope that you’ll beat the health obstacle put in front of you. Which always pointed me towards motivation, even though you said it’s a chance the second time it comes around it’s not going to look so good. You put up an amazing fight big guy. Definitely gone a little too soon with the ambition you gave students and even your family. Much love
When I seen this my heart dropped. It’s like the true hero’s and legends go too early. I knew Mr. Bryant because he was a dean at my middle school. Growing up as a troubled kid with no male role model, he was the first to ever reach out and put me in order when everyone else already labeled me as a no future. He treated me like a son and he kept me pushing through school wanting to be more than peoples expectations of me. He turned a troubled kid that was running through the streets into a 3x state finalist track athlete that craves the power of knowledge everyday. He was the true definition of Black Excellence and it’s extremely sad to see my only hero as a kid go. The laughs and smiles we shared will always be cherished, but my most favorite memory to remember will be when I broke down in your office for the first time and you held me until I stopped. I cried like a baby because I held so much back for years trying to be immune to emotions like that. That’s when I knew he was someone that actually cared and wanted to help. May peace be upon him and his family. He’ll be forever loved and missed.
I only knew Jerome from my post as a “greeter” at the West Michigan Cancer Center. I was struck by his big smile and graciousness, and especially his caring for other people’s welfare; he really wanted to know how I was doing. I loved to hear him say he was “marvelous”, and I hoped that he would be that way for many years to come. I am sorry that is not to be. I also heard about his many good works from other people who knew him. My deepest condolences to his family. I know his memory is a blessing.
To be honest I’m at a lost of words I was just talking about you Friday in school before the game and our memories we had with you like I’m heart broken cUse you were more than me Bryant to me you were somebody that cared and treated me like a son through middle school you kept me outta so much trouble and not just me either I called you a couple days ago and now I know why I love you rest up
I met Mr.Bryant back in middle school he was the reason I wanted too keep going when things got hard he am always told me to keep my head high and follow my dreams if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have made it to highschool… You’re missed by many rest in peace??? we love you prayers too you and your family… Sucks you’re gone you were and AMAZING person???
RIP Mr. Bryant wasn’t expecting this haven’t seen ya in about 5 years but the impact you had on me is life long.
I had the honor of working with Jerome at KDPS. He was such a kind, generous person and always had a smile on his face! Rest in peace, my friend. My thoughts are with you, Canary! Please take care.
He will be remembered as a true public servant. May he rest in peace.
Mr. Bryant was the best part if school for me, he helped me learn how to love and care for one another and more, but it will be very hard to let him go as a student so I can’t imagine what his family is going through and I’m so sorry for his and your loses.
i met him when i was in middle school, kept me out of trouble , taught me how to handle things . me and my cousin were talking about you the other day … rest in peace ❤️
A story:
I remember once in the Special Investigations Unit we reassembled in a parking lot after a moving surveillance had gone bust. Finger pointing had gone amuck. “John Boy” and “Bottoms” were facing off toe to toe. “Magic” just thought it hilarious and couldn’t contain himself, falling down on the pavement as he was laughing so hard. You know it’s tough to have a serious fight when one of the spectators thinks it’s the most comical ever. Thanks for the laughter. Thanks for keeping life in perspective. You’ll be missed until we can catch up to you.
J.B.
Jerome, you will be missed! Canary and family, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers. I have really enjoyed knowing you both. Jerome was one of a kind. I will always remember his positive nature, his deep faith and the occasional hilarious story of his police days. He ended every conversation with a sincere ‘God bless you’. I will be forever grateful for the encouragement I received from Jerome, just by listening to his story. He had a heavenly impact on those around him. Lord, surround all that knew and loved Jerome with your comfort and peace, knowing we will all see him again. God bless you all.
Jerome was my childhood friend. Always kind and caring. A great man. Very much loved and respected. My condolences and prayers to his entire family.
Rest easy Mr. Bryant. You were an amazing soul. This breaks my heart. My love and condolences to everybody else this affects.
My Heart goes out to u Canary and Family and your in my prayers. ??
Jerome helped me in the 80s not long after I came to Kalamazoo and didn’t know much, And he helped me years later when I thought I knew a lot but still didn’t. He dealt with some rough customers over the years but never let the darkness douse his light. There was never a time he didn’t smile when you saw him or say something to make you laugh. He was one of those people you meet and instantly feel as if you’ve known for years. God love him. Condolences.
To Canary Bryant and Family,
May the peace that comes from the memories of love shared comfort you now and the days ahead. I am so sorry to hear about your loss.
Jerome is my brother and was with me through the good and bad times in my life. He was always a pillar of strength for me and someone I could always count on. God Bless the family and I love you all.
I worked with Jerome during our years at Kalamazoo Public Safety. He was a kind and fair man with a gentle heart and a quick sense of humor.
The Comstock Board of Education renders our deepest sympathies at the loss of our friend and colleague Mr. Jerome Curtis Bryant. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who loved him.
Canary and family—We will always be thankful for knowing Jerome. He was a man who cared for his officers and he was a friend to all. He will be missed greatly. Thanks for sharing him with all of us at KDPS. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Beth and Tracy Cochran
I worked with Jerome closely for most of our years at the Kalamazoo Police Department. We worked together in both Patrol, and two different tours within the Special Investigation Unit. We both were also promoted to Detectives within the same time frame and work numerous cases together. Jerome only had one speed, full speed ahead, with determination and resolve beyond compare. He was exceptionally fair and kind.
I found him to be fiercely proud of he and his family, who he professed, on numerous occasions to deeply love,
Yes, I knew Jerome. A good man that will be deeply missed.
If I said a prayer that he could hear it would include, “Rest easy Magic, we will take it from here”.
Such a GREAT friend and work partner!!! I can share many stories but remembering how helpful he was to me when I was the new guy in the unit was never forgotten. We shared many laughs and have continued to keep up with each other since we both retired. I was always impressed on his loving family, watching Jermaine run up into the stands to give Canary and Jerome love after every game was sooo good to see. Even when times were bad for him you couldn’t tell as he always spoke about his blessings having his family close and the Love of the Lord Jesus Christ. You will be missed Magic!! Many prayers to Canary, his children and his grand children that he spoke of constantly.
I worked with Jerome at NEMS. He was very kind and helpful my first year and made me feel welcome. If I was having a bad day, he made me feel better and was there for me. He made it a point to come by and say Good Morning to me every single morning. I was so sad to hear of his passing. I am so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers.
The reason I met Jerome was unfortunate, but it could not have been more of a blessing. His courage and spirit was untouchable. Nothing could hold him down, or take him down. And the love that he showed I swear just by looking at his lovely wife was something to strive for. Canary, I am so happy to have met you and your family and I am so so sorry for your loss. God bless you, and we will definitely be seeing Jerome on the other side. Much love, Heidi
I had the pleasure of knowing Jerome through basketball at Parchment. The respect I had for he and his wife Canary was tremendous. The way they raised their children was obviously as good as it gets. You are in my prayers and am truly sorry for your loss. What a great man. Coach Larry Bailey
I worked with Jerome at NEMS. About a week ago, I happened upon a high school student who knew him from Middle School and in our conversation he mentioned seeing Mr. Bryant at the store and reported that he was doing really well. With this conversation in mind, I was a bit surprised when I had heard about his passing a few days later. After some processing the story made perfect sense though, because no matter what personal circumstances might dictate Jerome would always enter a room with a big smile and a huge dose of optimism announcing he was “marvelous” and he would then go on to give all that he had to those in need around him. He lived with love and engaged the world with a faith as strong as any I have seen and it was inspiring to watch him rise above obstacles that even the best of us might lie down for. He proselytized by being the example he wanted others to be and I find it impossible not to respect that. Godspeed Jerome.
I still have that prayer stone you gave me in middle school. Whenever im having a difficult time I look to that stone. Thank you for all your kind words and encouragement. You will be missed dearly.
Billie and Bryan,
Well said. His concern was always others. He was always fabulous!
Jerome was my D.A.R.E instructor in 5th grade and he also worked with two of my kids at N.E.M.S. and remembered who I was when he first saw me after almost 20 years. He was an amazing guy. I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I am sorry for your loss. Jerome will always be remembered. There were many times he walked with me from my bus stop on Patterson. He was always kind and had a great smile. I pray for peace and comfort for you and your entire family.
Jerome was a good friend to all who knew him. My husband, Joe, enjoyed his time with Jerome and his family. Jerome was a man of many talents! He was a genuine handyman from building to praying there wasn’t much he couldn’t do. I will miss his kind ways and that never ending smile. Prayers and hugs for Canary and his wonderful family. Waneta Truckey
To the Bryant family, I grew up with Jerome elementary until we graduated. He was an awesome guy. I’m praying for you all.
Imma miss you man u were one of the only people who kept me outta touble u were a good man rih till we meet again???
GOD BLESS Big Brother Jerome and too the entire Bryant Family. Your lost is ours too. Love you all. Evelyn Reece-McCoy and Family.
I worked under Jerome for several years in the Detective Bureau at Kalamazoo Public Safety. He was always fair and respectful to my family and I. The best memory of Jerome was the fun that we shared working together. I will treasure all those memories. Rest in peace my friend. Until we meet again. Scott Szekely and Family