Bryan Wimberly

A mass of Christian burial for Bryan Wimberly will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Monday, September 12, 2016 at The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Interment will be held at Alexandria Memorial Gardens in Woodworth, Louisiana at 1:00 pm on Monday following the services. The family will receive friends from 5-9 pm on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, Louisiana. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. with additional visitation following. Born December 1948, Bryan (67) was raised on a rice farm in Church Point, Louisiana. From early on and throughout his life, he was a tough, focused, driven, multi-skilled and strong man with an engineer mind and incredible work ethic. Bryan received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL) in Lafayette. His education did not end there as he continued throughout the rest of his life acquiring training, education and specialties for his many career and volunteer positions. At the time of death, Bryan was a devout catholic and member of The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He also wore many hats. He served as the Director of Utilities for the City of Natchitoches, Chief of Natchitoches Parish Fire District 6, and served on the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit and Rescue Team. Bryan also enjoyed horses, team roping and the sport of scuba diving; becoming a specialties diver, rescue diver, and master dive instructor. He left us doing what he loved on a dive in the Dry Tortugas off the coast of Florida on September 3, 2016. Although often perceived as a strong silent type, Bryan had a soft side for this family. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Donna Hanks Wimberly; one daughter, Laura Wimberly Davis and husband Donovan Davis of Alexandria, Louisiana; six grandchildren, Anna Chelette, Emma Davis, McKenzie Davis, Kendall Davis, Asher Davis and Carson Davis all of Alexandria, Louisiana; one brother, Elliott Chuck Wimberly and wife Judith of Clifton, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Joseph Wimberly and Elsie Rita Johnson Wimberly. Pallbearers will be friends and coworkers from Natchitoches Parish Fire District 6 and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Department; Ralph Hernandez, Michael Sesvold, Chuck Stoker, Doug Rachel, Ronnie Ross, and Sammy Ragan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.