Charles Raymond Bright

Memorial service for Mr. Charles Raymond Bright will be held at 2 p.m., August 27, 2013, at the First Christian Church in Nacogdoches. Reverend Rex Humphreys, Reverend Terry Hodge, and Dr. Allen Reed will officiate. Mr. Bright was born to George Novel Bright and Dovie Bailey Bright on March 22, 1927, and passed away August 24, 2013. Both parents and a brother, N.G. Bright, preceded him in death; also brother in-law, Douglas Swearingen. On April 1, 1967, he married Lois Marie Gibbs Dover who preceded him in death on March 21, 2006. On August 15, 2009, he married Carolyn Muckleroy Price, a childhood friend, who survives him. He graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1945 and went to work full-time for his father in the grocery business. On September 17, 1945, he was drafted into the Army and served as a military policeman. While in the service, he also was honored and privileged to have served as the driver and typist for William F. Buckley, Jr. Upon being honorably discharged, he went into business for himself in the outboard motor and boat business. He was instrumental in getting the Loco Lure developed and patented, and lived to see it become a very famous lure. Later, he and his brother, N.G., formed Bright Coop Company, which manufactures poultry transportation equipment. Active in The First Christian Church, he had been a Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Elder, Chairman of the Board, Trustee and was appointed to the honor of Elder Emeritus. The Bright House, which he donated to The First Christian Church, is part of their youth center today. Serving Memorial Hospital for sixteen years on the Board of Directors was one of his major accomplishments. He was Chairman for many years and helped develop Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital into one of the outstanding hospitals in East Texas. He authored a book about his famous Kalouse goose who saved Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital a considerable amount of money. The Bright Pavilion at Memorial Hospital was named to honor him. He was interested in banking at one time as Timberland Savings and Loan Association used his abilities as Chairman of their Board. His passion was the restoration of historic downtown Nacogdoches. Two of his favorite projects were the "Plaza Principal" project on the square and the Ingraham Building restoration which was originally home to his father's grocery business. His involvement in other downtown projects included the placement of antique street lights, planter boxes, statues and historical markers. Mayor Richard Johnson presented him the Key to the City of Nacogdoches for outstanding service. He also enjoyed working with the Cub Scouts for years, and serving as President of the Fern Lake Fishing Club. He held memberships in several state poultry associations and the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association. He worked closely with Dr. Temple Grandin, an advocate and leading voice for animal welfare. Grandin, a Professor at the University of Colorado and a U.S. Government appointed auditor approved the "Bright" cage unloading system as the predominant system used in the U.S. The Silver Bucket Award for Regional Service was presented to him in 1996 by the Deep East Development Association. The Nacogdoches Chapter of DAR awarded him the "Medal of Honor" in February of 2000 for his contributions of service to his country, community, church and fellow man. The "Pioneer Business of the Year" award was presented to him and Bright Coop, Inc. at the Nacogdoches County Agricultural Appreciation and Awareness Banquet in April of 2006 by his long-time friend and customer, Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim. The "Large Business of the Year Award" was presented to him and Bright Coop, Inc. in September of 2007 by The Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce. In May of 2009, the Nacogdoches Heritage Festival inducted him into the Hall of Fame. The Nacogdoches Police Department and the Chief of Police Jim Sevey awarded him the "Chief's Award as Citizen of the Year" in 2010. At the Nacogdoches County Agricultural and Appreciation Banquet, he and Bright Coop, Inc. were recognized as the "Agri-Business of the Year" in April of 2012. Also, on April 10, 2012, he was presented the "Nacogdoches Life Hero Award" for his contributions to the historical improvements in the downtown district and his other services to the community. This award was presented to him and four others by The Daily Sentinel and The United Way. In December of 2010, he and the board members of the Charles and Lois Marie Bright Foundation met Mayor Roger Van Horn on the site location of the "Gateway Statue." Plans were for the statue to be completed and erected on the Northeast corner of the Plaza Principal by December 2012. That dream was realized on February 12, 2013, when The Gateway Statue was fully erected in all its magnitude. On August 8, 2012, the Nacogdoches City Council voted, unanimously, to name the historic town visitor center the CHARLES BRIGHT HISTORIC TOWN CENTER in honor of his contributions to downtown. The CHARLES BRIGHT VISITOR CENTER became a reality and was officially named on March 22, 2013, on his 86th birthday. Even through many health adversities, including the use of only one eye since age eleven, he made tremendous advancements which aided the poultry industry and the Nacogdoches community. As one friend remarked, "We have lost a great mind with his passing." He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; stepson, Randy C. Price and wife, Kathy; sister, Joyce Swearingen; four nephews, Fred and Richard Bright, James and John Swearingen; three nieces, Merry Anne Shelton, Sandra Lou Tatum, and Janet Kay Hunt; and many great nieces and nephews. The family would like to express gratitude to his long-time friend and physician, Dr. Richard Baker, and also to the staff at Stallings Court, for the loving care they gave Charles. Special thanks to caregivers Janice Waters, Tangela Deckard, Emma Cartwright, Jean Lathon, Jennifer Rudisill, Delores Gipson, Mary Jo Patton, Ternessa Belle, and Felicia Flemon. A close business associate wrote that he will be sorely missed: "In all phases of life, he was a special and true role model to emulate, not only for Nacogdoches, but the entire world." In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Christian Church Building Fund, 702 North Mound Street, 75961; Friends of Historic Nacogdoches, Inc., P.O. Box 630411, 75963; to the ALS Fund, in care of 803 W. Seale Street, 75964; or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Laird Funeral Home. To leave condolence or sign the online guest register, please visit www.lairdfh.net.