OBRAY, Bryce William

Bryce William Obray, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, and Friend, passed away July 7, 2006 in Mesa, Arizona. Born September 8, 1926 in Cardston, Alberta, Canada to Irene Harker and Samuel Napoleon Obray, Bryce Obray is a direct descendant of early Cardston Pioneers. After spending his early years in Alberta, Bryce attended Brigham Young University and traveled and worked throughout the western United States. He later served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in France, Belgium, and Switzerland. Shortly after his return, he married his college sweetheart, Barbara Lu Boyer, in the Mesa Arizona LDS Temple. They settled in Pasadena, California, later moving to San Diego, and finally migrating to Maricopa County in 1957 where they resided first in Mesa, then Phoenix, and finally in Tempe. He worked as a trust officer, trust manager, and Vice President for First National Bank of Arizona (later First Interstate Bank) for many years, while remaining active in his local community and church. He was involved in Boy Scouting, Toastmasters, and numerous service and leadership positions in his local LDS ward and stake. After retiring, Bryce and Barbara commuted between their home in Tempe and Bryce's family home in Cardston, where they helped to care for family members in need of extra assistance. During that time, they also served an LDS mission in southern France, and volunteered in their neighborhood Family History Center as genealogy research specialists. No brief summary can adequately convey the genuine love, affection, and respect Bryce engendered through his quiet devotion to his work, his church service, and especially to his family. He truly lived according to his beliefs and leaves a rich legacy of personal faith. Mr. Obray is survived by his wife, Barbara, their six children and spouses/partners, Breyeh Su (Alma Hall), David (Seiko Nakatani), CarolJean, Sharon (Mary Quinn), Gayla (Jeff Andrus), and Connie (Jon Young); eight grandchildren: Tiffany, Kyle, Brittni (Rob Porter), Ken, Cameron, Kay, Brooke, and Brienna; sisters Elizabeth Obray (David Patton Grier) and Patricia Odell; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, colleagues, and friends. Funeral services are set for 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, 11 July 2006 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Alameda Ward, 2707 South College Avenue, Tempe. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to funeral services. Final resting place will be in the Mesa City Cemetery. Arrangements furnished by Tempe Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Heart Association in memory of Bryce Obray.