Bryan Paul Wilkins, 23, died on July 3 of unknown causes. After his death, family and friends mourned the loss of a beloved young man. The Mass of Christian Burial and visitation were held on July 7 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mobile.

“Bryan was a wonderful friend that would do anything for anyone,” said Jason Pugh, a fraternity brother of Wilkins’. “It’s an honor to be able to call him my friend.”

Wilkins was born in Bakersville, Calif., on August 18, 1987. He attended St. Dominic Catholic School in Mobile and graduated from McGill-Toolen Catholic High School. In addition to Bryan, his parents, Stephen and Kelly Wilkins, have two other children: a daughter, Alex, and son, Michael.

During his time at the University of Alabama, Wilkins was a member of the 2006 pledge class of Theta Chi fraternity. He was a student of the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, where he studied general business.

On the memorial website for Bryan, friends and family were able to sign an online guestbook. The Theta Chi housemother, Kathy Murphy, wrote, “Dear Wilkins Family, I am so sad for your loss. Brian was a wonderful young man and I will miss him. Know that I am praying for all of you and that Bryan was much loved.”

Gayle Phillips, one of Wilkin’s former teachers, also left a message, “I taught Bryan in the first grade at Corpus Christi, and I will always remember what a sweet, cute little boy he was. I ran into him several years ago, and he was so friendly and took the time to talk with me. I am profoundly sorry to hear about Bryan’s death, and my heart goes out to you both and his brother and sister.”

Friends said Wilkins was a wonderful person and will be missed for years to come by all who knew him.

“He was absolutely in love with his Golden Retriever, Marley,” Pugh said of Wilkins’ dog. “He had one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know.”

Friends of Wilkins can leave a message for his family in an online guestbook. It can be found here: legacy.com/guestbook/DignityMemorial/guestbook.aspx?n=bryan-wilkins&pid=152393219