Lubbock Christian University mourns the passing of former faculty member Rees Bryant, who died on May 31, 2025, at the age of 94, leaving behind a powerful legacy of ministry, scholarship, and compassion.

Bryant served on the Lubbock Christian University faculty in the late 1960s and early 1970s, teaching Bible and Missions during a pivotal time in the university’s early history. His connection to LCU was also personal—he was the son-in-law of the university’s founding president, Dr. F. W. Mattox. In addition to his time at LCU, Bryant also taught at several other Christian institutions, including Pepperdine University, Lincoln Christian College, and Florida Christian College.

A devoted minister and educator, Bryant’s ministry and teaching career spanned the globe. He and his wife, Patti, served as missionaries in Nigeria, where they helped establish the Nigerian Christian Hospital and the African Christian Hospitals Foundation. During the Nigerian/Biafran Civil War in the late 1960s, he and fellow missionary Jim Massey heroically delivered funds to beleaguered Nigerian friends, bravely flying at night through anti-aircraft flak.

Bryant’s passion for Scripture and theological study shaped his life’s work, culminating in his doctoral dissertation and book Baptism: Why Wait? He also had a deep love for the writings of C.S. Lewis, which he shared with students through a popular college course he taught titled C.S. Lewis: Reluctant Believer, exploring the life and faith of the beloved author.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 73 years, Patti, and their children: Sara Jo Dusterhoft ('75) with her husband Bruce, Bill Bryant ('81) and his wife Neva, David Bryant ('83) and his wife Marcia, and Becki Howard ('84) with her husband Roland. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

His impact on the LCU community—and the broader Christian world—continues through the countless lives he touched as a teacher, minister, missionary, and friend.