Jonathan Bry

Jonathan Andrew Bry, Bismarck, passed away on Sunday, November 18, 2012, at age 49. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am Friday, November 23, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Reception and luncheon will follow at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 818 E. Divide Ave, Bismarck. Jonathan was born in Bismarck on October 2, 1963, to parents Edwin and Marilyn Daley Bry. He graduated from Bismarck High School in 1982; he then attended UND, California State – Northridge, and UC – Berkeley, and in 1993 graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Industrial Design from San Francisco State University. As a child, he and his family spent many hours on the Missouri River, which inspired in him a life-long love of the outdoors. As an adult, Jonathan directed this passion into work as an advocate and activist for a number of causes. An avid boater, hunter, and fisherman, he was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, also serving as editor of its newsletter. At the time of his death, he was on the executive committee of the Dakotah Chapter of the Sierra Club. For many years, Senator Byron Dorgan's staff in North Dakota and Washington relied on Jonathan's input as a community leader in environmental issues. Jon was a powerful advocate for human rights and peace, as well as environmental conservation, and was dedicated to being politically active to make the world a better place for future generations. Jonathan knew how to be a good friend and was kind, loving, and caring to all who crossed his path. His friends cherished him, as did his animals and pets, for whom he cared with great dedication. It was this commitment to others that inspired him to be an organ donor, donating his corneas, veins, and bones. Jonathan was truly a citizen of the world. With great respect and interest in multiple cultures, he traveled in his lifetime to every continent except South America and Antarctica. Earlier in his professional life, in 1980, he enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard and had a ranking of Specialist 4. In 1984, he transferred to the California National Guard, completing his duty in 1985. Jonathan also lived in Wainwright, AK, as part of his work with Associated Pool Builders, for whom he built indoor pools with his friend Ken Traynor. While later living in California, Jonathan returned to Bismarck frequently to assist his mother, Marilyn, with the care of his father Ed, while Ed battled cancer. In 1987, he travelled for six months visiting New Zealand, Australia, and Indonesia with his girlfriend Vonny Sempelz, visiting her family. Jonathan returned to North Dakota following this trip where he spent time with his parents before moving to Oakland and Berkeley. It was in Berkeley, 1987, where he met Reid Bennett, owner of Flexitoys. Jonathan was hired part time as an assembler and was Reid's hardest entry-level worker. Because of Jonathan's hard work, dedication, innovation, and creativity, Reid identified Jonathan as the best employee he'd ever hired. Jonathan moved quickly into upper level positions, including travelling for trade shows in New York City and throughout the country, all while he was working toward his degree. Jonathan held a patent for the adaptor he designed to connect Flexiblocks to Legos. In 1993, the company moved to St. Helena in Napa Valley where Jonathan lived until the company was sold in 1996. As a result of the sale of the company and due to his mother Marilyn's diagnosis of Alzheimer's, Jonathan moved back to Bismarck to care for his mother. He then managed Solar Graphics, a subdivision of Flexitoys, while he cared for Marilyn. The help he received from FEMA during the San Francisco earthquake inspired him to work with FEMA during the Red River Flood of 1997. When that assignment ended, he continued to care for his mother while managing Solar Graphics. From 2001 to 2004, Jonathan was employed by the Sierra Club as the State Conservation Coordinator with a focus on the Missouri River Working Group, firmly dedicated to protecting the natural beauty of the Missouri River. In 2004, Jonathan convinced Reid Bennett to relocate Flexitoys to Bismarck, where he served as manager until his death. In addition to his steadfast dedication to social and environmental justice, Jonathan was also an exceptional artist, excelling in various mediums such as painting, music, pottery, and graphic design. He was a composer as well as a self-taught musician of piano/keyboards and drums. Beekeeping and gardening were also passions of his. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Bry and Marilyn Daley Bry. He is survived by his girlfriend Lisa Omlid; beloved dog and cat, Papina and Shadow Van Gogh; brothers Don, Minneapolis, Tom and Anne Coffey, Bismarck, Bob and Brenda Kesler, Bismarck; two nieces, Tessa Nathaniel, Ithaca, NY, and Maureen, Bismarck; seven nephews, Erik Shannon, Thomas, Kurt, Joel, Bismarck, Alec, Williston, Josh, Seattle, Jake Courtney, Castle Rock, CO.; longtime friend and business partner, Reid Bennett, Santa Rosa, CA. Memorials can be made to Friends of Theodore Roosevelt National Park www.friendsoftr.com or an organization of the donor's choice.

Jonathan Bry

October 2, 1963 - November 18, 2012