Bryce Browning

Bryce Cummins Browning, 93, of Dover, died peacefully, early Sunday, March 4, 2018 at Park Village Health Care Center following a period of declining health.

Born in Zanesville, Ohio on June 19, 1924, Bryce was a son of the late Bryce Cogsill and Edith (Cummins) Browning.

Following graduation from Dover High School in 1942, Bryce was drafted into the United States Army during World War II and was assigned to work in a medical depot overseas. After his discharge, he was fortunate to study art in Mexico, England and also France, where he worked under the tutelage of famed artist Fernand Leger.

Upon returning to the United States, Bryce obtained his Master’s Degree in Fine Arts and Education at The Ohio State University, where he also met Virginia Mason. They were married on August 30, 1952 and lived in Worthington and then Kent. Bryce taught Art at East Liverpool and East Cleveland schools, the latter for eleven years.

In 1971, Bryce landed an art teaching job in Dover, where he remained until his retirement in 1986. During his tenure at Dover High School, Bryce made a great impact on many students. He knew how to nurture and encourage the talent he saw in them. Through his efforts, many of his students won awards at the Ohio Governor’s Show consistently throughout his time at DHS. In recognition of his dedication to art education, Bryce was awarded with a special commendation from the governor of Ohio.

Following his retirement, Bryce focused more on his health when confronted with heart disease. He enjoyed time outdoors, and hiked daily, no matter what the weather, and stayed on a strict diet, overcoming a total of three heart bypass surgeries. He lost interest in painting and dabbled in photography. He also had a coin laundry business for several years, sold it, and then found a new passion by making successful investments in the stock market.

Bryce will always be remembered for his wit, humor, and devotion to his family.

In addition to his wife, Bryce leaves behind his family: two daughters, Carolyn Browning of New Philadelphia and Catherine (James) Heaston of Dover; a son, Bryce M. Browning of New Philadelphia; twin granddaughters, Aimee (Breck) Buchanan and Angela Blyer all of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a great-grandson, Daniel Buchanan; and a sister, Shirley Johnson of Dover.

In addition to his parents, Bryce was preceded in death by an infant sister, Winifred Browning; a sister, Charlotte Thwaite; and a brother, Richard Browning.

A memorial celebration of Bryce’s life will be led by Rev. Hombre Liggett on March 17, 2018 at 2 PM in the Geib Funeral Center in Dover where friends and family are encouraged to share stories of Bryce. The family will greet guests one hour prior to the service. A meal and fellowship will follow in the Hospitality Room of the Dover Geib Center.