Bryant Calip

Bryant had a natural gift for connecting with people, a big, memorable smile he flashed often... and an even bigger heart. He was an instant friend to everyone he met, an impactful coach and teacher who influenced and mentored countless men & women, young and old, in his celebrated 34-year career. His students will remember him as their favorite teacher, his peers as a worthy role model and leader, the athletes he coached as a gentle and wise mentor, his family as an invaluable member, his kids as a wise and awesome Dad, his wife as a handsome, thoughtful, loyal and loving husband. Everyone will remember him as their friend.

Bryant Calip, 57, graduated into Heaven Thursday, June 4th, 2020 after a 6-year battle with Multiple Myeloma cancer. Bryant and his twin brother, Brad, were the youngest of 7 children born to Elnora and Henry Calip in Hobart, Oklahoma. He graduated from Hobart High School in 1981 and continued pursuing his passion for football playing at East Central University, along with his brother, Brad, and their cousin, Neal Calip, who both considered a brother. The three Calip boys enjoyed long and successful careers as football players and coaches and remained extremely close throughout their lives. Following graduation with a B.S in Education, Bryant began coaching at the high school level in Frederick, Oklahoma and went on to coach and teach in Clinton, Oklahoma. Bryant earned a Master's degree in Education from Southwestern University in Weatherford, Oklahoma and would eventually end his career in Jenks, Oklahoma coaching and teaching his beloved Jenks Trojans.

While visiting Canada, Bryant met and married Lynn Nadon. If you ask Lynn, she will say they have 2 perfect children, daughter Bryann Danielle Nadon-Calip and son, Patrick Henry Calip. The family spent their early years in Clinton, Oklahoma where Bryant coached, taught and made many lifelong friends before moving to Tulsa. Once in Tulsa, Bryant worked in the Jenks Public School District, he spent the remainder of his illustrious career coaching Varsity Football and Girls Track, as well as refereeing basketball, coaching youth sports and teaching Physical Education.

Bryant leaves a large and loving extended family including his best friend and twin brother, Brad his wife, Darlean, and their children Braden and Brice Calip. He is also survived by his mother, Elnora Calip and his sister, Ruby, both of Hobart, Oklahoma and her children, Rhonda, Gaye, Ramona and Raquel, brothers Willie Don and his wife, Carrie Jean of Oklahoma City, and their children Willie Jr. and Carrie, Gary and his wife, Carolof Okmulgee, Oklahoma and children Mark, grandson Keith, Marcus, TreGary and Kela, Keith and his wife, Deborah of Brownwood, Texas and children Jirimi and Keith Jr., Donald Ray, and Neal Calip's wife, Alicia.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Calip and cousin, Neal Calip.



Funeral services are to be held Friday, June 12th at 2:00 p.m. at South Tulsa Baptist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma with Schaudt's Funeral Service in charge of arrangements. A family burial will follow in Hobart, Oklahoma on Saturday, June 13th at 1:00 p.m.



The Calip Family wishes to thank Dr. Janjua, the staff at Saint Francis Hospital and the Saint Francis Infusion Center for their exemplary care and compassion during Bryant's lengthy illness.

The family appreciates memorial contributions being made to The Coach Bryant Calip Fund through BancFirst in Tulsa, Oklahoma or the charity of their choice.

Among Bryant’s great passions in a life exceptionally well lived were his faith, family and football…most of the time in that order. Bryant’s life had a positive and far reaching influence on everyone. His humility and greatness existed in equal measure and left this world a better place…and us better for knowing him.