Bryan David McPherson
September 3, 1968 - December 9, 2006

Bryan McPherson was an outgoing, fun-loving man, who worked hard and played even harder. He was a beloved brother, a twin, yet so inseparable from everyone he loved. Bryan was a loyal son, loving brother, and a friend to so many. He died doing what he loved, snowmobiling, yet his life, and his memory, lives on in all who knew him.

Bryan's story began on a warm summer day in 1968, in the shoreline city of Muskegon, Michigan. Those were such turbulent times in this country, as the Vietnam War raged overseas, and the Civil Rights movement raged here at home, with the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, causing such great unrest in our nation. Yet on September 3, 1968, a warm, sunny Tuesday, Dennis and Lilly Marleen "Jill" (Barhitte) McPherson found plenty of reason to celebrate, with the birth of twin boys, sons they named Bryan and Bruce. Doctors had taken x-rays of the boys a week before their birth, in the days before sonograms, and their father was so proud to have twin sons.

The two boys were identical, and in many more ways than appearance, too. Bryan and Bruce seemed to have their own language even before their parents could understand what they were saying! It wasn't easy raising twin sons, but thankfully, Jill's parents lived right next door, and Grandma Barhitte was only too happy to help out, and she fed one while Jill fed the other.

From an early age, both Bryan and Bruce exhibited a natural artistic ability, and were very talented at drawing. Bryan and his brother also went through the Orchard View Youth Program, playing sports until they reached high school. They enjoyed sports, but soon found a love for a different variety than the organized kind.

Bryan's Grandpa Barhitte introduced his grandsons to snowmobiling, and they fell in love with it immediately. Well, they loved any motorized vehicle they could ride, really, including motorcycles, dirt bikes and four-wheelers, too, and lived for hitting the trails full throttle every chance they got. The boys would always drive fixer-up cars but their "toys" would always be shiny and new. They would tease dad about his 1986 Pontiac T-1000. Bryan and Bruce attended many snowmobile races and became good friends with professional snowmobiler Craig Marchbank, #00 and he gave them both caps with his name and number on it which they were proud to wear.

When they were growing up, Bryan and Bruce took that fun-loving attitude with them to school each day, and got a real kick out of tricking their teachers, by trading places in classes! They were identical, after all, and tough to tell apart in both appearance and attitude.

The boys were also very close to their Uncle Allen, who they spent a lot of time with growing up. Allen would always take them to their favorite restaurant, Mr. Scrib's, to get some pizza. Of course, Bryan and Bruce were far from picky eaters, and never shied away from food! They were both big boys, with big appetites, and enjoyed home-cooked meals more than anything.

Bryan's parents eventually divorced, but the family remained very, very close-knit, especially Bryan and Bruce, of course, and their younger brother Craig, too. The whole family enjoyed an especially wonderful Thanksgiving together in 2006.

After high school, Bryan set out to find his fortune, and eventually took a job at AmStore, where he was promoted to Team Leader. He enjoyed the job, and the people he worked with, whom he became close friends with over the 12 years of working there. His brother Bruce also works there, working alongside his brother for more than 10 years.

Bryan was also blessed with a son of his own, Trent, who meant the world to him. Family was always most important to Bryan, from riding snowmobiles with Bruce, or fishing with Craig in his new boat, or camping with his family, his big black lab in tow.

Tragically, Bryan died December 9, 2006, after a snowmobiling accident, at the age of 38.

Bryan was such an outgoing, fun-loving man, who lived his life his own way, working hard and playing even harder. He was a beloved brother, son, father and friend, who died doing what he loved most in life. Today his life, and his memory, lives on in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

Surviving are his parents, Dennis "Denny" McPherson & Lilly Marleen "Jill" McPherson; son, Trent, at home; grandfather, Kenneth Barhitte of Honor, MI; twin brother, Bruce McPherson of Bailey, brother, Craig McPherson of Muskegon; aunts & uncles, Dave & Claudia McPherson of Muskegon, Dick & Edie McPherson of Ruby Creek, Carol & Dan Groleau of Muskegon, Pat Ashburn of Muskegon, Allen & Sandy Barhitte of Grawn, MI; many close friends; several nieces, nephews & cousins. He was preceded in death by a brother, Mark Alan McPherson; grandparents, Guy & Millie McPherson; and grandmother Lilly Barhitte.

Services are Saturday, December 16, 2006, 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church with Rev. John Brown officiating.

Visitation is Saturday, 1 hour prior to the service at First Baptist Church. Memorial donations may be made to the family. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.

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