Joseph McKinley Bryan, born on February 11, 1896, was the second son of Bart and Caroline Ebert Bryan. He grew up in a climate of instability and uncertainty, and developed a tough work ethic with a strong desire to educate himself. After serving overseas in World War I, Bryan returned to New York City to take a job with a cotton firm. In 1923 he became the youngest member of the New York Cotton Exchange.

On November 19, 1927, Bryan married Kathleen M. Price of Greensboro, N.C. The need for a nice place to raise a family brought a career change in 1931, when the family moved from New York City to Kathleen's hometown. Bryan joined Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company and quickly moved up the corporate ladder. In 1934 he became president of a subsidiary company which purchased WBIG, Greensboro's only radio station at that time, and saved it from going off the air. The company expanded its broadcasting division in 1945 when it purchased the powerful WBTV in Charlotte. In 1949, WBTV became the first television station to air in North and South Carolina.

Bryan served in various capacities with several large corporations. In addition to being senior vice president of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company and chairman of the board of Pilot Life Insurance Company, he served as a member of the board of the parent corporation, Jefferson-Pilot until 1993 when he was made honorary and lifetime member of the board. Bryan also served on the boards of NCNB (now NationsBank), Atlantic and Yadkin Railroad and several personal companies. Bryan was one of the original six members of the North Carolina Business Hall of Fame.

In 1984 his wife Kathleen died after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Frustrated by the lack of knowledge in the medical community, Bryan decided to back an experimental procedure at Duke University involving rapid autopsies of victims of Alzheimer's Disease. The initial success of the Duke program prompted him to donate $10 million for Alzheimer's Disease research, which put the Duke University Medical Center at the forefront in the battle against the disease. The direct results of Bryan's gift are already being realized as Duke's research team has identified chromosomes and genes related to the early onset of Alzheimer's Disease. Jefferson-Pilot Corporation Professor Allen D. Roses is presently conducting research on a newly discovered susceptibility gene for late-onset Alzheimer's Disease.

Bryan was also known as a person who believed in civic duty. He was associated with the Rotary Club, Masons, Shriners and many other community groups. He served on several governmental committees, including the Governor's Committee on Low Income Housing and the U.S. State Department's Fine Arts Committee. In 1961 Governor Luther Hodges named Bryan Chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Elections. In 1986, Bryan received the North Carolina Award in Public Service.

The Bryans' long standing record of philanthropy has received national recognition. In 1955, the Bryan Family Foundation was established as a vehicle for their philanthropy. Education was always a priority. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina School of Science and Math, Duke University, Greensboro College, North Carolina A and T State University, Guilford College, Bennett College, Belmont Abbey, Converse College and many more institutions have benefited from the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Bryan. UNCG's School of Business and Economics was named in honor of Joseph M. Bryan.

Bryan was an early member of the Augusta National Golf Club, golf's premier golf club and home of the Masters. The Greensboro Jaycees approached him in 1937 to assist in guaranteeing the purse of the first Greater Greensboro Open PGA Tour event, which took place in 1938. He later became Honorary General Chairman for the golf tournament. In 1971 the City of Greensboro named Bryan Park, the new municipal golf complex, in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Bryan.

In the last year of his life, including the day he was admitted to the hospital, Bryan made daily visits to his office. He died in Greensboro on April 26, 1995.