Funeral services for Leonard J. “Joe” Bright will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at the Riverton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mark Thurman officiating. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery with military rites by the Wyoming National Guard.
A viewing will be held from 5-7 p.m.Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Davis Funeral Home.
Mr. Bright died Saturday, April 4, 2009 at Morning Star Manor at Fort Washakie. He was 71 years old.
Leonard Joe Bright was born in Thermopolis on July 1, 1937, the son of Donald M. Bright and Ruth P. (Lawrence) Bright. He grew up in Wyoming, California and Colorado, as his father was required to move around with his job as an auto body man. He attended Natrona County High School in Casper. He also attended school studying to be an apprentice printer.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on Thanksgiving of 1956. He was stationed in Denver, Colo., and San Antonio, Tex., and was honorably discharged on August 20, 1957 from Parks Air Force Base in Pleasanton, Cal., as Airman 3rd Class.
On October 27, 1957 he married Dorothy Wuertz and on January 13, 1973 he married Melva Chitwood. He was later divorced from both. He married Elsie Snyder on September 1, 1983. She survives.
Mr. Bright was employed at the Casper Star Tribune for 22 years, then drove truck for Sinclair in Casper and Sheldon Oil in California. He had also worked for PerTech for five years.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Riverton, the Eagles and Good Sam RV Club.
The family said Mr. Bright enjoyed woodworking, four-wheeling, fishing and his R.V., loved to dance and took great pride in his yard.
Mr. Bright is survived by his wife Elsie of Riverton; sons Joe Ray Martinez and his wife Debbie, Leonard Bright and Doug Bright, all of Casper; daughter Sheila Bright of Casper; step-son Dennis Snyder and his companion Dalene Adkinson of Riverton; step-daughters Vickie Watkins and her husband Dennis of Fairmont, Okla., and Carol Strohecker of Riverton; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister Helen Rosty of Casper; sister-in-law Ila Boettcher of Lincoln, Neb.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial donations may be made to the Special Olympics of Riverton, in care of Davis Funeral Home, 2203 W. Main, Riverton, WY 82501.
On-line obituaries are available and condolences for the family may be made at: thedavisfuneralhome.com.
Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.
A viewing will be held from 5-7 p.m.Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Davis Funeral Home.
Mr. Bright died Saturday, April 4, 2009 at Morning Star Manor at Fort Washakie. He was 71 years old.
Leonard Joe Bright was born in Thermopolis on July 1, 1937, the son of Donald M. Bright and Ruth P. (Lawrence) Bright. He grew up in Wyoming, California and Colorado, as his father was required to move around with his job as an auto body man. He attended Natrona County High School in Casper. He also attended school studying to be an apprentice printer.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on Thanksgiving of 1956. He was stationed in Denver, Colo., and San Antonio, Tex., and was honorably discharged on August 20, 1957 from Parks Air Force Base in Pleasanton, Cal., as Airman 3rd Class.
On October 27, 1957 he married Dorothy Wuertz and on January 13, 1973 he married Melva Chitwood. He was later divorced from both. He married Elsie Snyder on September 1, 1983. She survives.
Mr. Bright was employed at the Casper Star Tribune for 22 years, then drove truck for Sinclair in Casper and Sheldon Oil in California. He had also worked for PerTech for five years.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Riverton, the Eagles and Good Sam RV Club.
The family said Mr. Bright enjoyed woodworking, four-wheeling, fishing and his R.V., loved to dance and took great pride in his yard.
Mr. Bright is survived by his wife Elsie of Riverton; sons Joe Ray Martinez and his wife Debbie, Leonard Bright and Doug Bright, all of Casper; daughter Sheila Bright of Casper; step-son Dennis Snyder and his companion Dalene Adkinson of Riverton; step-daughters Vickie Watkins and her husband Dennis of Fairmont, Okla., and Carol Strohecker of Riverton; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister Helen Rosty of Casper; sister-in-law Ila Boettcher of Lincoln, Neb.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial donations may be made to the Special Olympics of Riverton, in care of Davis Funeral Home, 2203 W. Main, Riverton, WY 82501.
On-line obituaries are available and condolences for the family may be made at: thedavisfuneralhome.com.
Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.