UMATILLA, Florida—A well-known and well-loved community leader unexpectedly passed away last week.
Social media posts began flooding Facebook, just a few hours after Ray “Ray Ray” Bryant, 55, died Wednesday. Bryant, of Altoona, was the owner and sensei of Central Florida Karate in Umatilla for more than 30 years and later, Central Florida Karate 2 in Mount Dora, according to his obituary.
He impacted hundreds of children’s lives in the community through karate and founded Alee Academy in Eustis.
Katie Mansfield, of Eustis, who trained with Bryant for five years when she was a child, told Inside Lake she was devastated when she found out, “Sensei saved my life at such a young age. He brought me from the pits of hell and showed me how to keep my head on straight and protect myself,” she said. “I will forever be grateful for the life lessons he taught me. There are not enough words to express my gratitude and the countless memories I have inside his dojo. He will forever be missed.”
Bryant was a state, national and world kickboxing champion and was an ambassador and U.S. coach for the International Sport Kickboxing Association, a member of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the Lake County Airboat Club.
Bryant loved the outdoors and volunteered with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team since 2007, LCSO Sgt. Matt Farner told Inside Lake. Farner, who is the sergeant in the Agriculture and Marine Unit said Bryant was a critical component to the Search and Rescue Team and volunteered his time, equipment and gas to the rescue efforts.
”Ray was an asset and very valuable to the community,” Farner said. “He was our go-to guy and was always willing to donate his time.”
Bryant and his father, Ray Bryant Sr., both volunteered before their passings, “They really were our main guys,” Farner said.
Bryant most recently helped in the search and rescue of Davidson Anjab, 39, who went missing during a canoe trip at Alexander Springs in April. Anjab was found safe after two days of searching.
“It (his passing) was shock to all of us,” Farner said. “He was a huge asset and a friend. We all loved the guy.”
Bryant is survived by his wife, Catherine “Mouse” Millner; three sons, Dalton, Dakota and Doron; his daughter, Madeline; his brother, George; his aunt, Jennie Louer; his nephew, Cody and his niece, Bella.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Bryant Compound, 45445 State Road 19, Altoona. Harden/Pauli Funeral Home in Eustis is handling the arrangements.
