COL Alan Arnold Brister, ARMY (Ret)

 COL Alan Arnold Brister, ARMY (Ret), age 97, passed away on August 17, 2024. He was born on March 15, 1927, in Wyncote, PA to Charles Melville Brister, Jr. and Margaret Miller Brister. 

A proud patriot from an early age, Alan enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17. His hope was that he could support his country during WWII. However, it ended before he completed basic training. Alan would eventually fulfill his duty to his country by serving in the Korean War and in Vietnam. During his service he would earn multiple meritorious awards and commendations, including a Silver Star, Legion of Merit, an Air Medal, 2 Army Commendation Medals, 2 Purple Hearts, a Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Battle Stars, and a Korean Service Medal with 6 Battle Stars. Alan would climb the ranks and finish out his 31 year career as a Colonel. His life was more than just the military though. Alan thrived on education and was a graduate of Officers Candidate School, earned his Accounting Degree from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte and completed his MBA at the University of Maryland. He would spend summers on Beech Mountain in North Carolina and come back to Tennessee during the winter months. Friends and family often spoke of Alan's generosity, sense of humor, care for others, and his knack for story-telling. He volunteered his time preparing taxes for senior citizens and as an animal lover he supported many animal charities including the Humane Society of Clarksville-Montgomery County and Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary in Beech Mountain, NC. 

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Karen Hager Brister. 3 sisters: Margaret Kizlin, Jane Brister, and Anne Poarch. Alan is survived by his children, Renee (Rowena Halpin) Brister and Mel (Terri Durham) Brister; grandchildren: Erin (Ryan) Nelson, Justin (Fallon) Brister, and Jordan (Hanna) Brister; great-grandchildren, Jaxen and Kolson; sister-in-law, Jutta (Rudi) Macho; nieces: Evi (Erich) Zillinger, Jean T. Fleming, and Tana Woodcock; and great-nephew, David.

A service for Alan will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery where he will receive full military honors. 

Please visit Alan's online guestbook at www.sykesfuneralhome.com and share a memory with the family.