Gerald Bryan Drennan

Gerald Bryan Drennan was born on May 1, 1935, in Huntington Park, CA, to James Gilbert & Martha Gladys Haslam Drennan. Bryan’s parents planned to call their baby boy Jerry until a new neighbor arrived with a dog named Jerry. From then on, he was called Bryan.

Bryan’s father was transferred to San Mateo, CA, when he was 7 years old. Bryan graduated from San Mateo High in 1954 and attended BYU in Provo. He was active in student government and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at BYU, he met Coralee Smith and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on May 25, 1962. 

Bryan developed many talents in his lifetime. Always with an eye for beauty, he designed and built his own home. He became a master woodworker and created much of the furniture within the home. He owned apartments and he and his family did most of the maintenance on them. Bryan found gardening relaxing and kept a tidy, beautiful yard. He had an interest in cars from an early age which continued throughout his life. He also enjoyed taking family boating vacations. He worked for Utah Power & Light for most of his career and served on various boards which gave many travel opportunities. Bryan was a caring father and wanted his large family to enjoy a variety of experiences and to see the world. He took them to Canada, Mexico, and most of the 50 states in their travels. 

Bryan had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and spent his lifetime diligently serving others in various capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He spent countless hours serving in 4 Bishoprics and on several High Councils. He especially enjoyed being over ward activities! Bryan loved being a missionary in the British Mission as a young man 1956-58. Later, he and Coralee served an 18-month humanitarian mission in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Belarus, and another in the St Petersburg, Russia Mission. They served in the Temple together for 13 years, drove a van from Temple Square to Welfare Square for 10 years, and volunteered at Wentworth Assisted Living. 

Bryan lived at Spring Gardens Senior Living in Draper for the last 3 months of life after becoming too sick to remain at home in Coralee’s care. He quickly became well-loved by the staff and residents and retained his sense of humor to the end. He and his family greatly appreciated the kind & thoughtful care given to him while living there.

Bryan was preceded in death by his parents. His brother Boyd died in 2023, his brother Bob passed in 2024, and Bryan followed in 2025. Bryan is survived by his wife, Coralee, their 11 children: Deanna (Paul) Young, Debbie (Ken) Duke, Tonya (Randy) Karren, Tami (David) Price, Pam (Paul) Brooks, Todd (Cindy) Drennan, Kirk (Annie) Drennan, Mark (Emma) Drennan, Brent (Leah) Drennan, Andrea (Clint) Stevenson, Amy (Sam) Curtis, and his sisters-in-law, Pattie Drennan and Ruth Drennan. He leaves behind 45 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Services to be held at 2115 E. Creek Road, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84093:

Friday, January 10th Viewing 6-8 pm

Saturday, January 11th Viewing 9-10:30 am, followed by the funeral 11 am

Internment @ Memorial Mountain View Cemetery, 3115 Bengal Blvd, Cottonwood Heights, UT