Obituary of Alton Lee Bryant

On August 4, 2020, Alton “AL” Lee Bryant was called home to the Lord at the age of 77. Alton was born on February 7, 1943 on a farm in Wade, NC to the late Gentris L. and Lula E. (McQueen) Bryant. Alton was the third of five children: Charles L. Bryant, Mary A. Rivers (Deceased), Delores B. Spurlock and Kendall B. Bryant (Deceased). The family moved to Wilmington, DE in the early 1950’s. Alton would return to Wade to live with his grandfather Wilford McQueen (Deceased) during some of his elementary school years. Alton received most of his education in the Wilmington Public School system and graduated from Howard High School in 1961. Alton married in 1964 and from this union they were blessed with a daughter Toni D. (Bryant) Patrick. Later in life, he was blessed with two sons, Alton L. Washington Jr. (“AJ”), and Tajrick A. Tucker. From his early teens, cars were Alton’s passion. At Howard High School, Alton expanded his knowledge by taking auto mechanics as a trade. Through this passion and experience, Alton became a master mechanic. After graduating from high school, pursuing his passion for cars, Alton worked at various gas stations. As an entrepreneur, he opened his own business, the Bryant Gulf Gas Station in Wilmington, DE. For a brief period, Alton moved to New Jersey and sold life insurance until he returned to Delaware where he worked for several years for the University of Delaware’s Facilities Maintenance Department. Coming back to his love for cars, Alton ran his own automotive repair business until becoming ill. Alton was not what you called a stylish dresser, but he did not have to be one. Alton‘s personality showed his quiet demeanor(not saying he was not talkative), his easy and friendly disposition and his abundance of sophisticated charm. Alton’s favorite pastime activities were cooking and watching NASCAR racing and baseball games. He enjoyed trying new recipes and eating pizza and pasta, although he became an advocate for healthy eating later in life. Alton also enjoyed listening to Jazz music. Alton is survived by his three children: Toni D. Bryant Patrick (Rodney) of Newark, DE, Alton L. Washington, Jr. (Erin) of Marina Del Rey, CA and Tajrick A. Tucker of Wilmington, DE; two siblings: sister Delores B. Spurlock of Upper Marlboro, MD, brother Charles L. Bryant of Raleigh, NC; two grandchildren: Rodney Patrick, Jr. and Justen Patrick of Newark DE; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends.