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George T. Bright, Sr. Obituary

George T. Bright, Sr., 89, of Carroll Twp., Monongahela, died Wednesday, May 28, 2014 in his home. He was born November 25, 1924 in New Eagle, the son of the late Frank K. and Sophia Kirschner Bright. George attended The Church of Jesus Christ in Monongahela. He was a 1942 graduate of Monongahela High School. He began his career in the US Army Air Corps in 1943 during WW II, flying for over 41 years in multiple aircrafts, from the P-47 Thunderbolt to the KC-135E Stratotanker. In 1972 he was appointed to the rank of Colonel. At the time of his retirement he had logged over 10,000 flying hours. In 1984 George retired from the Air National Guard 171st Air Refueling Wing as vice commander and safety officer. He was told, at the time, he was the last US Air Force pilot that had flown in WWII to still be actively flying in the Air Force. During his retirement ceremony, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and given the honorary promotion to Brigadier General by the state of Pennsylvania. At home he enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing and flower gardening. His latest passions were wood working and mowing the lawn. He is survived by seven sons and five daughters, Lee Alan and his wife Ramona Bright of Monongahela, Melodee Bright of Carnegie, Malcolm and his wife Rhonda Bright of Westminster, CA, Robert and his wife Jayne Bright of Monongahela, Valarie and her husband George Marynchak of Dawson, Gary and his wife Jan Bright of Morgantown, WV, Melissa and her husband Alex Cherry of Monongahela, Roy Bright at home, Ray and his wife Cindy Bright of Pemberton, NJ, Connie and her husband Paul Robinson of Monongahela, George Bright, Jr. of Roscoe, Jessie and her husband Rick Scaglione of Herndon, VA; thirty three grandchildren; twenty nine great grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Alice Rogers of Little Rock, AR, Bertha May and her husband Albert Reichel of Monongahela; and a brother, Charles K. Bright of Monongahela. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Elizabeth ?Liz? Seighman Bright, who died on March 4, 2012, a daughter and son in law, Sharon and her husband John Finnerty and three brothers, Harry, Ralph and Earl Bright. Friends will be received on Friday, May 30, 2014 from 2-9 PM in the Frye Funeral Home, Inc., 427 West Main Street, Monongahela, where funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 11:00 AM with the Elder Karl Kirschner and the Elder William Chepanoske, co-officiating. Interment will follow in Jefferson Memorial Park, Pittsburgh with full military honors accorded at the graveside.
Published by Frye Funeral Home, Inc. on May 29, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
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Michael McGuire

May 23, 2025

George is missed by all who knew and loved him.

Mike Athanas

May 23, 2019

Col. Bright was a true gentleman. I always enjoyed talking with him in the Command Post. He always made you feel at ease when he was around. To Lee and all of the Bright family your Father will always be with you in spirit

Carol Russell Caley

April 5, 2015

Many memories come to mind when I think of the Bright family. Love abounded in their home. I am sorry to hear of George's passing. Hugs to you all.

Mike Richards

June 2, 2014

Dear Lee and Family,
I was saddened to hear about the loss of your father. He will be missed by all. G.T. Was a real warrior.
Sincerely,
Mike Richards

Gordon Larson

June 1, 2014

To the entire Bright Family. My deepest sympathies and condolences to you all on the passing of one from the "Greatest Generation". I flew with your father when I first joined the 171st ARW in 1979. It was on one of his flights that I earned my nickname at the 146ARFEW "beans". It was an honor to fly with someone of your father's stature, abilities and airman-ship. We all make that one last trip West and I hope he always encounters clear skies and smooth air. May the Lord bless you all as you mourn the passing of your father.
LtCol Gordon "Beans" Larson 171st ARW/147thAREFS

Ed & Lana Pitzer

May 31, 2014

Lee and Bright family our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.
Your Dad was a true gentleman.

Marino Fernandez

May 31, 2014

TO Alan & Ramona Bright, the family prayers and our condolences to hear of the passing of your father.
I pray that he is no longer suffering and he will be with you always in your hearts.

Holly (Kerr) Renda

May 31, 2014

To the Bright Family. I am sorry for your loss. So many memories... You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

May 30, 2014

Lee and the entire Bright Family. My sincerest condolences on the passing of you Dad. He was a great man and he was a great mentor to me when I was a young 2nd LT right out of pilot training. It was a privilege to fly with him and I will always remember his WWII stories. Know that "GT" is flying his way to heaven on his silver wings God Bless.
Captain Jan K Lewis 171st ARW/147th ARSQ

Bill Costello

May 30, 2014

Lee, my sincere condolences on the loss of your dad, a true leader and hero. MSgt Bill Costello, PA ANG 171st ARW/MSC

Michael McGuire

May 30, 2014

To The Bright Family. He was a wonderful Father, Grandfather and Friend. I will always remember Him, admire and continue to respect Him. I am deeply sorry for your loss. God Bless all of You Michael, JoAnn McGuire and Family

May 30, 2014

To the whole bunch of you--I would like to give you all a hug. I'm sorry for your loss. I always remember how happy your mom always was. You were good neighbors.
Love Marilyn Kerr

Buck Boyd

May 30, 2014

her. He was a great pilot, officer and fellow military friend. It was an honor to serve with him. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. He will always be remembered.

Dorothy Frye Walker

May 30, 2014

On behalf of the Ladies Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), we extend our deepest condolences to the George T. Bright families. He was a beloved WWII veteran, family man, and relative to many Starkweather Circle members. He balanced military service with family, and faithfully attended Baxter family reunions. We are honored to know the pilot, the brigadier general, the outdoorsman, the man who blessed our world with so many wonderful descendants. Deepest sympathies to all whose lives were touched by him. In Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty, Sarah Kapusta, Starkweather Circle President, and Dorothy Frye Walker, Dept. of PA President

May 30, 2014

To the Bright family, we are sorry for your loss. God bless your family. From Larry & Marie Seighman and family.

Mike Goodman

May 30, 2014

To Lee and Bright Family, the Colonel was an original Guard Officer and Gentleman. One memory I always smile upon is the two of us having dinner in the McClellan Officer's Club on a KC-135 cross country. We talked; I listened and learned a lot.

John Lucarini

May 30, 2014

Lee Bright and Family
You have my sympathy and prayers. It was a pleasure to work as a technician with your Dad for many years.

Mike Strauch

May 30, 2014

To the Bright Family...So sorry for your loss.I worked with the Col and Lee and have many great memories of both.May God wrap his loving arms around the family and confort them.God Bless You all

Georgene Hockey

May 30, 2014

Alan and Ramona, I am so sorry for your loss, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

May 30, 2014

Gary, Jan, and Family, So sorry to hear of the passing of your dad and granddad. I know he will be greatly missed by all of you. May god bless you all and keep you close to him in this time of sorrow. Love, Bub and Sue

Larry Kovalik

May 30, 2014

Lee Bright & Family

Sorry to hear of a friend of 60 years
passing.

May 30, 2014

Lee Bright and Family,

Please accept our heart felt sympathy at the passing of your father. He was a true patriot of our nation. It was an honor and privilege to have served with him. God Bless all of you during this time.

Ronald Gionta

May 30, 2014

Lee Bright and Family,
You have my deepest sympathy. May God Bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Jerry Work

Jim Best

May 30, 2014

My condolences to the family.
I flew with Col. Bright numerous times in the ole KC-97. He was as even keeled a pilot I've ever flown with.
Every once in a while we could get him to talk about the "old" days.... He'd get a twinkle in his eyes as he reminisced....
I learned a lot from Col. Bright.

Jim Best

Dina Marynchak

May 30, 2014

The Bright Family,-
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow.
- Mr and Mrs Darren Marynchak

THOMAS SALERNO

May 30, 2014

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

May 30, 2014

Lee Bright and Family,

You have my deepest sympathy. He was a true gentleman. He will be missed.

Mike Athanas

John "Pappy" Ward

May 30, 2014

George was a role model and inspiration. He never lost his priorities. I still laugh when I recount the number of sandwiches he would bring to work. My sympathy to his family.

Larry Markham

May 30, 2014

Lee Bright & family -

Please accept our condolences on the loss of your loved one and one of the true leaders of the Air National Guard in Pittsburgh. I'll always appreciate the trust he placed in me.

May 30, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with Lee and the family. It was and honor to serve with George. John Lednak Jr.

Donald "TIP" O'Neill

May 30, 2014

My condolences to the Bright family for your loss . And for the loss of a great hero that served his country when called .

barbara ann pessy

May 30, 2014

Our sympathies are with you and your family- God Bless Barbara Ann Evans Pessy

May 30, 2014

Lee Bright,

You have my sympathy.

Steve Patronie

William Garbarino

May 29, 2014

A good man.

Bonnie & Bob Kriberney

May 29, 2014

Lee Bright and Family,

Our Deepest Sympathy to you and your family at the loss of your father. We will miss seeing your dad at all the Quarterly Retiree Luncheons. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Blessings,

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Memorial Events
for George T. Bright, Sr.

May

30

Visitation

2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Frye Funeral Home, Inc.

427 West Main Street, Monongahela, PA 15063

May

31

Funeral service

11:00 a.m.

Frye Funeral Home, Inc.

427 West Main Street, Monongahela, PA 15063

May

31

Interment

Jefferson Memorial Park

Pittsburgh, PA

Funeral services provided by:

Frye Funeral Home, Inc.

427 West Main Street, Monongahela, PA 15063