BRYAN CARL SULLIVAN

November 14, 1941 to June 3, 2018

The Reverend Bryan C. Sullivan was born November 14, 1941, in Houston, Texas to Darwin B. Sullivan and Helen Winkelmann Mize. He attended Messiah Lutheran School in Houston and was confirmed there in 1956. He attended the Academy division of Concordia Lutheran College in Austin and then went on to Austin Community College and the University of Texas. On June 24, 1961, he and Joyce Gail Bachmeyer were united in marriage in Thrall, Texas. Their union was blessed with four children. In addition, Pastor has eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren who have been the joy of Opa’s life.

After college, Bryan was involved in pharmaceutical sales and was a very active layman in his church. In 1975, having become convinced that God was calling him to the pastoral ministry, he and Gail left their home on Lake Travis and moved to Springfield, Illinois to attend Concordia Theological Seminary where he received his Bachelor of Theology. In 1977, he moved his family back to Texas and served his vicarage at Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, where he then became the assistant pastor. In 1987, he was awarded his Master of Divinity degree from the seminary.

In the spring of 1980, Pastor Sullivan accepted a call to Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, Texas where he served as pastor for 30 years. During his pastorate, he guided the congregation through two building programs, including the construction of a beautiful sanctuary, which he considered a highlight of his career.

Reverend Sullivan served in various capacities in the Lutheran Church including serving as the Circuit Counselor for 9 years and the Continuing Education Coordinator in Texas for the Ft. Wayne Seminary for 18 years. He was a founding pastor of the publication “Texas Balance” and served on the Editorial Committee of the “Concord” publication. He was elected as a delegate for 3 years to the Synodical Convention.

Music was a very important part of Bryan’s life, beginning at a young age as the first chair violinist of the Houston Youth Symphony Orchestra. He could play various instruments including the violin, the accordion, the guitar, and the piano. He also was blessed with a beautiful voice and sang in various choirs throughout his life. His German heritage was very important to him. He would minister to the elderly in their native German tongue, and, on occasion, preached in German. His family was very dear to him and he loved spending time with his precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Most of all, he believed the Bible was the inerrant word of God. Pastor loved the Lord Jesus Christ and looked forward to meeting Him in Heaven.

He is survived by Gail, his loving wife of 57 years, and four children, Vicki Dumbeck and her husband, Richard; Carla Case, Marian Jones, and John Sullivan and his wife Julie. He was blessed with eight grandchildren, Connor Dumbeck, Allison Dumbeck, Bryan Case Jr., Ben Case, Austin Case, Christa Jones, Michael Jones, and the late Katie Jones. He has seven great-grandchildren, Korie Dumbeck, Harper Dumbeck, Charlotte Case, Clark Case, Bryan (Trey) Case III, John Case, and Derrick Varble. He is additionally survived by his half-siblings, Anne, Pat, Colleen, and Dottie, and numerous cousins.

A visitation will be held on June 5, 2018 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home in Elgin Texas. Funeral services will be on June 6, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, Texas with the burial immediately following at the Elgin Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, in Elgin, Texas.