Unconditionally loving, persevering, artistic, talented
Looking at Bryan, one would never suspect that he lived much of his life in pain. Always smiling, smirking mischievously, or cracking witty jokes, he had a natural talent for making people laugh. His warmth and willingness to do anything for anyone meant he was never short of company. His mother, Kim, gave up on trying to list out how many friends he played softball or frisbee golf with. “Bryan had an amazing ability to make you smile no matter how much you hurt,” she said. “His friends loved him deeply for that.”
Despite his playful personality, Bryan was a serious and dedicated worker. He worked in commercial flooring and was in the Carpenters Local Union. He found joy in the artistic aspects of his occupation, and pride in the talent and precision required to complete a job. Unfortunately, he often struggled to work because of his chronic pain.
Bryan was diagnosed with severe Crohn’s disease as a young boy, and spent much of his youth in and out of the hospital. It was a difficult time for both himself and his family, but he persevered. His family was his motivation to get through to the next day. His goal was often to be well enough to celebrate the holidays with them. He was always eager to spend time with his older brother Joe and played with his cousin Brian Lee Scott when he was able. Later in life, when he developed Hodgkin’s lymphoma, he gained an additional motivation to recover: his daughters, Isabella, Bryleigh, and Harper. His older daughters lived in Oklahoma and could rarely visit; but when they were in town, Bryan ensured they would spend every available moment together—whether he was ill, or not. As for baby Harper, she was “the twinkle in his eye.” He dreamed of raising his little family with Tina, the love of his life, in their own home one day.
Despite Bryan’s strength and good humor, not every day was a good one. The pain was great, and he did not win every battle he came across. While he was using substances, his normally sweet personality became sharp towards his loved ones. “He was always sad,” Kim said. “He was so angry and unforgiving of himself. The anxiety and the hurt were awful, adding to the pain he had from his other illnesses.”
Bryan passed away from fentanyl poisoning at the age of 34, a year after he had been devastated by the loss of his beloved cousin Brian Lee. Kim misses Bryan’s smile and watching him with his daughters, and mourns all the little things that he was not yet able to do: to raise his daughters, watch them grow, and walk them down the aisle. After his passing, Kim joined Steps of Hope to raise awareness of substance use disorder and support those impacted by the disease. She carries Bryan’s story with her wherever she goes.
“I just hope that even one person reads this narrative and recovers and doesn’t die,” she said. “We have lost so many sons and daughters to this horrible disease. I pray that Bryan’s memory could help even one person.”
Bryan’s mother, Kim Merryfield, provided the information for this narrative.
December 10, 1986-March 7, 2021-Age 34
Portrait Artist: Elizabeth Jones
Narrative Writer: Angela Day
