Brian Lloyd Dobyns

Brian Lloyd Dobyns, artist, philosopher and renaissance man, passed away on August 6, 2020 at the age of 61. A resident of Efland, NC, Brian was a native of the northeastern United States, where he attended Hampshire College and the Conway School of Landscape Design. He moved to North Carolina in the late 80s, and shortly thereafter met Katherine Bliss, his wife of 31 years. Together they shared a passion for the outdoors, an active lifestyle, and ultimate Frisbee. In addition to Bliss, Brian is survived by his two sons, Timothy Michael Bliss & Ryan Lloyd Bliss, his parents, Lloyd & Patricia Dobyns, and his siblings Denise Dobyns, Alison Dobyns, and Kenneth Dobyns.

A skilled artist and craftsman who worked with a wide variety of materials, Brian loved to repurpose natural materials found on his property, turning them into artwork, furniture, or incorporating them into the very structure of the home. A prolific painter and sketch artist whose favorite subject was the natural beauty of the world around him, he produced hundreds of pieces of art, many of which adorn the walls of his friends’ and family’s homes, both in North Carolina and beyond.

For all his skills as an artist, Brian did his best work with people. A dedicated organizer, coach and mentor, Brian shared his love of the game of ultimate and its spirit of fair and respectful competition with countless players over the years, and the ripples of his influence can be seen across the country. His work has inspired many of his former players to follow in his footsteps and become coaches and leaders themselves, exhibiting the same generosity of spirit that he brought to everything he did. His contributions to the sport were such that he is the only person to be honored with induction into both the North Carolina and the National Ultimate Halls of Fame.

For all his accomplishments, Brian’s sons, Tim & Ryan, are his greatest legacy. His vocation afforded him the opportunity to be with them as they grew up, and the time he spent with them, at home, on the ultimate field, or on the many trips around the country they took together, was something he truly treasured. The young men they have become and their selflessness, empathy, understanding and embrace of life are the truest reflection of the man that he was. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Pm on Tuesday August 11, 2020 at the McClure Funeral Service in Mebane.

Please send donations in lieu of flowers to World Wildlife Fund, The Trevor Project, Lebanese Red Cross, NAACP-legal defense fund or Triangle Ultimate-Brian Dobyns Fund

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