Jan. 18, 1919 – April 25, 2012
James Solon Bright, 93, of Sweet Home died Wednesday, April 25, 2012.
He was born Jan. 18, 1919 in Tomato, Ark. (Mississippi County) to George Edgar and Rosa Lee (Halfacre) Bright.
He married Wilma L (Wood) Bright on Aug. 12, 1951 in Reeds-port, at the First Baptist Church.
Mr. Bright worked most of his life in the timber and wood industry. He and his wife moved to Sweet Home in 1981 to enjoy their retirement. He was an avid outdoorsman all of his life, whether hunting, fishing, camping or target shooting. He enjoyed children of all ages. He took great pleasure in watching baseball games whether in person or on television.
Mr. Bright’s military career started at a young age when he first enlisted in the United States Army May 9, 1938 during peace time. He served in Panama up until his discharge in July 1940, at which time he went to work in the shipyards. He was drafted into World War II on June 15, 1943, serving in the Southern Philippines as a mobile artilleryman until the war’s end. He was honorably discharged January 16, 1946.
Mr. Bright is survived by his wife, Wilma Bright, and 21 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by all his brothers, Edgar, J.F. and Vernon; and his sisters, Sunshine, Nancy and Georgia Rose.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, April 28, at Sweet Home Mennonite Church. Final burial was at Gilliland Cemetery.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.