We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Bryan Dean Sisson, 72 years old, who resides in Spanish Fork, UT. Bryan passed in the early morning hours on January 21st at Utah Valley Hospital surrounded by his devoted wife, Deborah Susan Denning, and his eight children. Bryan was born on March 19, 1944 in Houlton, Maine to Leatha Geraldine (Budrow) and Spurgeon Jasper Sisson. Bryan’s father was a World War II pilot and a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force which allowed the family to live in many places throughout Canada and the United States. Bryan was the first of four children: Brenda Budrow, Maureen Theriault, and retired Sergeant Major, Charlie Sisson, US Army. Bryan learned early on how to be a leader and serve as the head of the household when his father’s work assignments left him in charge. Bryan excelled in school and eventually joined the United States Navy which allowed him to travel to Jacksonville, Florida where he met his wife of 48 years. They met in a Latter-Day Saint meetinghouse and after a brief courtship they made the long journey to Salt Lake City, Utah to be sealed in the Latter-Day Saint Temple on January 20th, 1969. Bryan served in the U.S. Navy for ten years and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Finance which allowed him to start a career in business.
His career in business as a financial controller and accountant took the family to many states, they lived in Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, Massachusetts, Florida, and finally, Utah. Bryan went back to school and worked a full-time job while he earned a PhD in Business Information Systems from Utah State University. His dissertation on the selection of accounting software for small businesses earned him an award for “Dissertation of the Year” from the Delta Pi Epsilon Society for business graduates. Bryan had a zest for knowledge and taught all of his children to seek out knowledge from many different sources. Whether it be geometry, history, or auto mechanics he was a jack-of-all trades who could build houses, change a car transmission, and sustain a debate on global politics. Bryan was man of great faith and was dedicated to serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His lifetime of service included serving a proselyting mission to Texas where he learned to speak Spanish and serving as a Bishop in a ward in Norfolk, Virginia, and on the stake high council in Utah. He also spent many years working with the Boy Scout program—he was very resourceful on camping trips and taught the scouts how to make a pancake flipper out of a stick and the top of an aluminum can. Bryan was a great teacher and loved teaching Gospel Doctrine and High Priest groups. Bryan will always be remembered for his quick wit and humorous stories which kept individuals comforted even in the face of great adversity. His children and grandchildren brought him great joy in this life as well as keeping track of his wife’s spending habits.Bryan is survived by his lovely wife, Deborah Susan, his eight children along with their spouses and 30 grandchildren. Surviving children include: Jason Allen Sisson, Aaron Dean Sisson, Nathan David Sisson, Rebecca Ann Gutke, Paul Edward Sisson, Susan Elizabeth Wade, Sarah Jane Rollo, and Bonnie Kay Sisson. He is also survived by his dear siblings mentioned above.