Norman H. O’Bryant

Published 11:22 am Monday, February 10, 2025

COURTLAND – Norman H. O’Bryant, 81, of Courtland, passed away and went home with Jesus on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Born on March 16, 1943, in Reidsville, North Carolina, he was the son of James H. and Jereline O’Bryant.

While attending High Point University, Norman met and married Kathryn and together they had three sons: Keith, Kevin and Kreig. He graduated with a degree in mathematics and chemistry, leading to a prosperous career across three industries. He began in textiles at Burlington Industries, transitioned to the paint industry with Valspar Coatings, where he played a key role in developing domestic house paints now found in Lowe’s stores and eventually ventured into equipment manufacturing and l

Norman H. O’Bryant

easing. Alongside his sons Keith and Kreig, Norman acquired Southern Tent Company Inc. and later founded International Tent & Equipment Manufacturing Inc., growing it into the third-largest tent rental company on the East Coast.

Norman was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn; his parents; his sister, Carol Glaspie and his daughter-in-law, Trisha, wife of Keith. He is survived by his sons, Keith; Kevin and his wife, Stacy; and Kreig and his wife, Julie; seven grandchildren, Kyle, Travis, Evan, Patrick, Joseph, Kaylee and Kullen; two great-granddaughters, Jenny and Grace; two brothers, Dale and Ronald; his sister, Linda Bransome and Carol’s husband, Ken Glaspie.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 16, at 3 p.m. at Courtland United Methodist Church in Courtland. A second service will take place on Monday, March 17, at 2 p.m. at Lynnhaven United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach, followed by the interment of cremains.