“Bryan is the best friend I could have ever hoped to have. We met in 1980 at Martin Marietta. Young single dudes trying to start a career and figure out life. One of my earliest memories is of the time I told my grandmother in Georgia about meeting him. Ya see, he is from the small town of Jefferson, Georgia, which is right next to the small town of Braselton where my grandmother is from. I was so excited to share that connection with her (my middle name is Braselton). She was excited to hear about it too. I shared that his name was Bryan Allen. Then she got really excited. She says, "Jody, he is one of the Bryans!" I proceeded to explain that his first name was Bryan, not his last. Well, she would have none of that and insisted he was a "Bryan". Whatever. I let it go since she was already 80 at the time and there was no sense trying to argue with her. I got to work the next day thrilled to tell Bry the funny story about my grandmother. Well guess what? I finished telling the story and Bry just looked at me and smiled. "She's right." he said. "I am a Bryan. That's mom's maiden name." We had a great laugh and it turned out people in my family did in fact know his. The Bryans are a pretty big deal in Jefferson. We've had so many good times since. He lives on in our hearts now and forever. Miss you Bubba Bry.”