Gerald Howard Bryant, Jr. (A.K.A Jamaal) was born August 19, 1947 to the late Gerald Bryant and Hazel Bryant in Morristown, N.J. Jamaal graduated from Morristown High School in 1965. Jamaal always loved sports. He participated in track & field and baseball while in High School, before suffering a critical knee injury which ended his pursuit of team sports. Jamaal was unable to attend college immediately after graduation, and his injury prevented him from serving in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War as he had hoped. During this difficult time, he found several jobs as a Lab Technician, Chemical Operator, and Electronics Assembler, while employment opportunities came and went suddenly. He briefly lived in California seeking work there, but soon moved back to New Jersey to be close to his family.
Despite his struggles, Jamaal was a friendly, caring friend to others throughout his life and a loving family-oriented person. He loved to read about African History, enlightening everyone close to him who would listen with what he learned. Jamaal was the first in his family to revert to Islam and afterwards exhorted his siblings and friends to seek knowledge and truth for themselves. After the passing of his father in 2002 he spent several years caring for his mother when she became ill, up until her passing in 2008.
Jamaal departed life on December 31, 2020, after a long illness, and leaves a legacy of love for all his loved ones to cherish his memory, his brother Raymond Bryant {A.K.A. Raymond Bilal Abdul Rahman) of Irvington, his sister Lauretta Bonnie Bryant of Newark, and his children David Jerome Suddoth and Andora Michelle Suddoth. He had 4 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. He also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Jamaal was preceded in death by his parents Gerald Bryant and Hazel Bryant {Seeley), and his sisters Diane Bryant (Felton) and Janet Bryant, all of Newark, NJ.
May Allah have mercy on Jamaal. May Allah enlarge for him his grave and shed light upon him in it. lnsha'allah Jamaal has beautiful creatures accompanying him in his grave for all of his good deeds. May Allah have mercy on his soul and may He bestow His most gracious mercy upon him. May Allah grant Jamaal amongst the highest level of Jannah. AMEEN
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