Ralph I. "Ribby" Bright Jr.

1937 - 2011

Ralph I. "Ribby" Bright Jr., beloved father, brother and grandfather, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, during his 74th year. Service: 11 a.m. Thursday at All Saints' Episcopal Church, 5001 Crestline Road, Fort Worth. Interment: for family only. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 3301 West Freeway, Fort Worth, Texas 76107; or Community Hospice of Texas, 1111 Summit Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76107. Ribby was born Sept. 15, 1937, in Oklahoma City, Okla., the first child of Ralph I. Bright Sr. and his wife, Nellie Ryan Bright. He attended Classen High School in Oklahoma City and Paschal High School in Fort Worth. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 1957 to 1962. During his military service, Ribby started his family with his former wife, Patsy Charles Bright, and subsequently worked in numerous business endeavors. He found his calling in the aerospace fastener industry, most recently with Greer Industries and National Utilities Corp. He enjoyed golf, loved coaching his son's YMCA football teams as well as those of his daughter's friends, appreciated spending time with family and friends, cherished attending his grandchildren's sporting events and was very passionate about the University of Oklahoma football. Boomer Sooner! The family would like to thank the wonderful and dedicated staff at Community Hospice of Texas for the outstanding care provided to Ribby during his final days. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors: Son, Ralph I. "Trey" Bright III of Fort Worth; daughter, Tori Bright Scott and husband, Dave, of Fort Worth; daughter, Trina Bright Mertz and husband, Michael, of Eldorado; grandchildren, Cameron Scott of Norman, Okla., Victoria Scott of Fort Worth and Arden, Chase and Wyatt Mertz of Eldorado; sister, Jo Carol Sharon and husband, Jim, of San Antonio; brother, Jim Bright and wife, Ginger, of San Angelo; cousin (like a brother), Charles Ryan and wife, Lynn, of Oklahoma City; special friend, Deanie Polk of Aledo; and numerous other relatives, co-workers and friends.