Bryan Jarell Bass

Bryan Jarell Bass was born on May 5th,1985 in Pasadena, California to Frenetta and Bobby Bass. He is the 4th child born in the Bass family lineage. He prided himself on being the best son, brother, and uncle he could be…and he was the best! In his earliest years, Bryan lived in Altadena, CA where he attended Greater New Guide Baptist Church and sang in the choir. He also spent his time playing in the Pop Warner - Youth Football league, and turned everyone he met into a friend. It was in these early years that he cultivated his love for God, creative expression, and connecting with others. He attended Franklin, Webster, and Washington Accelerated Learning Elementary Schools within the Pasadena Unified School District. After moving to West Covina, he attended La Seda Elementary, Giano Intermediate and Nogales High School within the Rowland Unified School District. He enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life, and no matter their cultural or economic background he never judged a book by its cover. He could have a conversation with anyone and connect with them over the truth that we were all equal and created by God. For Bryan, the most cherished part of his school years was making lifelong friendships. As a man of faith from an early age, Bryan faced adversities during his childhood, but he found peace in his relationship with God. He also channeled his emotions into his passion for all things creative including poetry, music, writing, comedy, drawing and even cultivating his unique personal style. Bryan didn’t just love art, he lived it and marched to the beat of his heart. Bryan lived life with faith, strength, bravery, loyalty, and love. Where there was no stability, he became a pillar of strength for those around him. He was an individual, an everyday rock star, and a rebel with a cause. He led with love. He stood in his truth. He rejected the rules, trends, and stereotypes projected on him to form an identity and style all on his own. When everyone else wore colors, he wore black and gray. When others were wearing the latest shoe, he stuck to his classic Converse, Vans, Ponys and boots. When his peers were listening to pop and hip-hop, Bryan was listening to Christian Rock, Christian Rap, Rock’n Roll, Jazz, and Johnny Cash. Bryan was a part of several rock bands and musical collaborations throughout his teens and 20s. Among his influences were Metallica, Blink 182, and his favorite band of all was The Misfits. He was a self identified misfit who stood by his beliefs and with his example and embodiment gave everyone he met the permission to do the same. To be okay with not fitting in with the crowd and instead to step up, stand up, and stand out. Bryan acknowledges that his parents did their best. Still, he was a member of a big family that needed much support, so Bryan along with his mother and sisters Brooke and Brenetta would step up, help out, and look after their family especially in their fathers absence. As he got older, he took on more responsibilities. One of his first jobs was working as a caregiver for his God-mother’s husband, Charles Benn. By age 21, he significantly contributed to his household by working graveyard shift at a Paper Manufacturer, while during the day caring for his nephew, Bobby and taking his younger sisters to and from school. His prized cars were a blue Chevy Camaro and a gray Dodge Magnum. Bryan was the intersection where masculinity met vulnerability. Inside his cars is where he shared his musical taste as we had good laughs and heartfelt conversations. During these car rides, we had teaching moments from driving lessons at the Rose bowl to life lessons that were universal. With every school pick up, every drop off, and every ride short or long distance, he showed us that he would be there to show up for us and help us get where we needed to go along our journeys in life. So although he did not have any biological children, Bryan was absolutely a father figure, who valued and prioritized supporting his family above all else. Bryan helped ensure that Bobby, Breea and Brenetta were in a stable home environment, had a protective father figure at home, and were afforded the opportunities he was not. He wanted to help with self esteem, self empowerment, character building, and mental strength. He was the glue that kept everyone together and laid the foundation for his family to flourish. Among his proudest moments have been watching Breea and Brenetta graduate at the top of their classes, become an Artist, and a Psychologist respectively, and be the strong, kind, caring, and accomplished women they are today. He was also a proud uncle who loved helping raise, care for, and spend bonding time with his nieces and nephews Bobby, Elicia, Lawrence, Bryce, Levi, Jayla, Austin, Evelyn and Logan. He watched them develop, always learning new things, achieving their goals, and grow into amazing human beings. Though unpublished, Bryan continued his creative writing. In 2015, he moved from California to join his brothers Bobby and Brandon in Kansas. Kansas is where he lived, worked and remained a family man until January 18th, 2024. He loved reading comic books, and to us Bryan was our superhero. He believed that we were all just people trying to do our best with what we had. That’s what really made him special. He may not have had all that others had to offer, still he was willing to graciously offer to others all that he had. He was a tangible living example of a human hero with his own struggles, obstacles, and vices. Yet, he stood by us and showed up for us when we were navigating through our own. He demonstrated that we don’t have to be perfect people to be impactful people. We will remember him and cherish him not because of his perfection, but because of his humanity and how he loved us unconditionally. Always just a phone call away, there to offer an encouraging word, share a unique perspective, give a generous donation of his time, currency, energy, and efforts. He made us feel worthy, seen, safe, supported, and loved. Known amongst his family as a protector, provider, who was thoughtful, caring, and kind. Known amongst his nieces and nephews as the funniest, funniest, and also The Favorite Uncle. Known by his friends and all who loved him as a multifaceted man who reflected every aspect of life. He will be known and loved by us all forever. Traditionally this is the part where we conclude that he leaves behind, but Bryan leaves behind no one… because Bryan gave us all very clear directions to “LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND” because he believed “WE ALL WE GOT.” So in true Bryan fashion, we now break from tradition… BRYAN NOW STANDS BESIDES US, THE BASS FAMILY AS HIS LEGACY CONTINUES THROUGH US ALL. His parents Frenetta Bass, Bobby Bass I, siblings Michael Bass, Christina Bass (sister-in-law), Bobby Bass II, Katie Bass (sister-in-law), Brooke Bass, Brandon Bass, Brenetta Bass-Liddell, Breea Bass, nieces and nephews Bobby Bass lll, Elicia Rainey, Lawrence Carter, Bryce Liddell, Levi Rainey, Jayla Bass, Austin Liddell, Evelyn King, Logan Liddell, and all his extended family members, friends, and loved ones while he’s “MAKING SURE WE’RE GOOD ON THE OTHER SIDE”.