MikeBryant

Michael H. Bryant

5-13-1951 to 12-27-2024

We are sad to announce that Michael Hubert Bryant passed away peacefully at home, he was 73. Mike was born on May 13, 1951, to Hubert and Betty Bryant in San Diego, California. He had five siblings: Robert Russell, Gayle Ashby, Janice Sabatini, Lynne Bryant and Peggy Bryant. He grew up in the Linda Vista neighborhood and was proud to be a native San Diegan.

Mike’s work career started at the local W.T. Grant store as a stock boy, he also worked at a bakery in Pacific Beach and as a cook and dishwasher at Robinsons department store restaurant before he got a nighttime maintenance job at the San Diego County Office of Education. He continued to work there for 43 years, retiring in 2014 as a custodial supervisor.

Mike graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Graphic Arts and a High School Teaching Credential. He taught Vocational Education classes for Grossmont Union High School District. He was honored with two Golden Apple Awards for outstanding teaching.

Mike married Louise Horton in 1972 and had two children, Steven and Michelle. As sometimes happens, life led them in different directions. Mike traveled extensively with his son and daughter, including every U.S. state, Canada and Europe.

Mike met the love of his life, Dixie Rookwood, and married in 1994. During their 30-year marriage they enjoyed a travel odyssey to over 60 countries. Mike and Dixie were also involved in a variety of clubs reflecting Mike’s interests. Mike has won multiple national awards for his articles and as newsletter editor for the San Diego Antique Bottle and Collectibles Club. He also wrote The Haunted Whaley House – their bestselling gift shop book. His collection of rare antique bottles filled a special room addition to his home he called “a museum.” It was considered the best-known collection of San Diego bottles. He was interviewed on radio and television and consulted for his knowledge of local history and his interesting artifacts. He was also a sought-after speaker on a variety of topics such as Hobo Nickles, stories of lost treasure in San Diego County, and of course antique San Diego bottles.

Mike’s most precious treasure came when he was blessed with two grandsons: Raymond and Kenny. He loved creating adventures for them, such as taking them on Disney cruises, to the Del Mar Fair, or to the neighborhood park. He took joy picking them up from school, watching them learn to ride bikes, or the electric tractor he found at a yard sale. He loved his family and celebrated every success and life event from marriage, to births, to career advancements.

He was a pragmatic man, felt he had a lot to live for, and much he wanted to do. He lived three years after he was diagnosed with late-stage prostate cancer, and said every day was worth it, and the treatment was not that bad. He assured us he was at peace, and it was “just the facts of life.” He asked that his carefully curated bottles be passed on to be enjoyed by others…that he was just a custodian of them for the time he had them. Now, he would ask us to be at peace, to enjoy the memories of the time we had with him, and to help him even and beat the score against cancer by having regular check-ups.