Charles Raymond Bright

Name:	Charles Raymond Bright
Gender:	Male
Race:	White
Age:	18
Relationship to Draftee:	Self (Head)
Birth Date:	22 Mar 1927
Birth Place:	Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
Residence Place:	Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
Registration Date:	22 Mar 1945
Registration Place:	Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
Employer:	Student
Height:	5 7
Weight:	140
Complexion:	Ruddy
Hair Color:	Brown
Eye Color:	Blue
Next of Kin:	Novel Bright

Name:	Charles R Bright
Race:	White
Marital status:	Single, without dependents (Single)
Rank:	Private
Birth Year:	1927
Nativity State or Country:	Texas
Citizenship:	Citizen
Residence:	Nacogdoches, Texas
Education:	1 year of college
Enlistment Date:	26 Oct 1945
Enlistment Place:	Fort Sam Houston, Texas
Service Number:	38753268
Branch:	No branch assignment
Component:	Regular Army (including Officers, Nurses, Warrant Officers, and Enlisted Men)
Source:	Enlisted Man, Philippine Scout or recall to AD of an enlisted man who had been transferred to the ERC
Height:	00
Weight:	000

 

Name:	Charles Raymond Bright
Birth Date:	22 Mar 1927
Gender:	Male
Birth Place:	Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
Father:	George Norvel Bright
Father Birth Place:	Longview
Mother:	Dovie Mae Bailey
Mother Birth Place:	San Augustine
Mother Residence:	Nacogdoches

Name:	Charles Bright
Birth Year:	abt 1927[abt 1926]
Gender:	Male
Race:	White
Age in 1930:	3[3 9/12]
Birthplace:	Texas
Marital Status:	Single
Relation to Head of House:	Son
Home in 1930:	Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
Map of Home:
House Number:	208
Dwelling Number:	315
Family Number:	316
Attended School:	No
Father's Birthplace:	Texas
Mother's Birthplace:	Texas

Name:	Charles R Bright
Age:	13
Estimated Birth Year:	abt 1927
Gender:	Male
Race:	White
Birthplace:	Texas
Marital Status:	Single
Relation to Head of House:	Son
Home in 1940:	Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches, Texas
Map of Home in 1940:
Street:	South Fredonia
Inferred Residence in 1935:	Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches, Texas
Residence in 1935:	Nacogdoches
Sheet Number:	19A
House Owned or Rented:	Owned
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented:	2500
Attended School or College:	Yes
Highest Grade Completed:	Elementary school, 5th grade
Neighbors:
Household Members Age Relationship Novel G Bright 47 Head Doris M Bright 42 Wife Novel G Bright Jr 22 Son Joyce M Bright 16 Daughter Charles R Bright 13 Son

    

Advertisement for Novel Bright's Grocery Store in 1937. This grocery store suffered immensely because of World War II. Due to food rationing and a shortage of man power. Novel Bright had 22 employees that went off to war.

         

Bright Coop had its humble beginnings in 1951 when brothers Charles and N.G. Bright built their first building and started manufacturing wooden chairs that sold for $14.00 per dozen. It wasn’t long before the Bright’s were approached by a couple of local “chicken haulers” who were in need of coops to transport live chickens to market. With an abundance of hardwood timber in the area and the East Texas broiler industry starting to grow, the brothers decided to go into the business of building wooden chicken coops. After approximately 30 days of hard work and the addition of one employee, they completed a “bobtail” truck load of the coops which were purchased locally by Smith and Todd Poultry. Their auspicious beginnings, with limited capital and a “fly by the seat of your pants and learn as you go” attitude, enabled them to produce a coop that was custom-engineered to suit the local market.

Lois Marie Gibbs 1947

Name:	Charles Raymond Bright
Gender:	Male
Age:	40
Birth Date:	abt 1927
Marriage Date:	1 Apr 1967
Marriage Place:	Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
Spouse:	Lois Marie Gibbs Dover
Case Number:	4011967029736

   

Name:	Carolyn Muckleroy Price
Gender:	Female
Marriage Date:	15 Aug 2009
Marriage Place:	Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
Spouse:	Charles Raymond Bright

Mrs. Carolyn Muckleroy Price Bright passed away May 23, 2015. Born November 25, 1926, in Nacogdoches to Eugene and Mary Ethel Yates Muckleroy. Both parents and a brother, Wilson Muckleroy, and a sister, Mary Greene, preceded her in death. One June 8, 1947, she married Travis Noel Price of Bryan who preceded her in death on October 7, 1997. On August 15, 2009, she married Charles Raymond Bright. She graduated from Nacogdoches High School and received both bachelor and master's degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University. Additional graduate work was completed at the University of Texas at Austin and North Texas State University at Denton. In 1954, she joined the faculty of SFA and served as a tenured assistant professor in the General Business Department in the College of Business until full retirement in 1990. After retirement from SFA, she was the office manager for Miller & Price Real Estate. She was active in community and religious activities and was affiliated with local, state, and national professional organizations having published articles and services bulletins in the field of business education. Mrs. Bright had been a member of the SOS Sunday School Class, the Glory-land Singers, and a Prayer Warrior at First Baptist Church. She was a member of the Women's Faculty Club and served on the Board of Friends of Music of SFA. She was a past president of the Lady Lions. She held life memberships in the SFA Alumni Association, the Nacogdoches High School Alumni Association, and the Delta Pi Epsilon Honorary Business Education Fraternity. Surviving are son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Kathy Price, grand-daughter and husband Jennifer and Dirk DeKerlegand, granddaughter Heather Price, and great granddaughters, Kendall Nicole, Grace Elizabeth, and Emma Kathryn DeKerlegand. Also, three nieces.

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.

Nacogdoches business owner, philanthropist Charles Bright dies

By Gary Bass

Published: Aug. 26, 2013 at 3:01 PM CDT|Updated: Aug. 26, 2013 at 9:44 PM CDT

NACOGDOCHES, TX (KTRE) - Beloved Nacogdoches business owner, community leader, and philanthropist Charles Bright died Saturday at the age of 86. Bright and his brother, N.G., founded Nacogdoches' Bright Coop Company, which manufactures poultry transportation equipment.

Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at the First Christian Church in Nacogdoches. Rev. Rex Humphreys, Rev. Terry Hodge, and Dr. Allen Reed will officiate.

A Nacogdoches native, Bright was born on March 22, 1927, to George Novel and Dovie Bailey Bright. After he graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1945, Bright went to work full-time in his father's grocery business.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army in September 1945, and he served as a military policeman until he was honorably discharged. While he was serving in the military, he served as the driver and typist for William F. Buckley Jr.

Following his stint in the military, Bright started up an outboard motor and boat business. According to his obituary, he was instrumental in developing and patenting the Loco Lure.

However, Bright is probably most well known for founding the Bright Coop Company and his leadership in the community. The company's chicken cage unloading system became the predominant one of its type in the United States, according to his obituary.

He served on the Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital Board for 16 years.

"He was chairman for many years and helped develop Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital into one of the outstanding hospitals in East Texas," his obituary stated. "He authored a book about his famous Kalouse goose who saved the Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital a considerable amount of money."

On April 1, 1967, Bright married Lois Mari Gibbs Dover, who preceded him in death on March 21, 2006. He married his childhood friend, Carolyn Muckleroy Price, on Aug. 15, 2009.

The Bright Pavilion at Nacogdoches Memorial was named in Bright's honor.

According to Bright's obituary, two of his favorite projects were the "Plaza Principal" project on the downtown square and the restoration of the Ingraham Building, which was originally home to his father's grocery business. He was also involved in downtown projects like the placement of antique street lights, planters, statues, and historical markers.

In December 2010, Bright and the other board members of the Charles and Lois Marie Bright Foundation met with Nacogdoches Mayor Roger Van Horn and set things in motion for the "Gateway Statue" that was erected on the north east corner of Nacogdoches' Plaza Principal on Feb. 12, 2013, the obituary stated.

On Aug. 8, the Nacogdoches City Council voted unanimously to name the visitors center the Charles Bright Historic Town Center in honor of his contributions to the town's downtown area. It was officially named on March 22, 2013, his 86th birthday.

A lifelong member of Nacogdoches' First Christian Church, Bright served as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, elder, chairman of the board, and trustee. He was also given the honor of Elder Emeritus by the church's members. He donated the Bright House to the church, and it is part of the church's current youth center.

Bright also volunteered with the Cub Scouts for years.

Bright's many awards and accolades include the  Deep East Texas Development Association's Silver Bucket Award for Regional Service (1996), the Nacogdoches Chapter of DAR's "Medal of Honor" for his "contributions of service to his country, community, church, and fellow man" (2006), the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce's "Large Business of the Year Award" (2007), the Nacogdoches Police Department's "Chief's Award as Citizen of the Year" (2010), and the "Agribusiness of the Year" (2012). In April 2012, he was honored with the "Nacogdoches Life Hero Award" for his contributions to the improvement of Nacogdoches' downtown area and his other many services to the community.

The obituary said in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to First Christian Church Building Fund, 792 North Mound Street, 75961; Friends of Historic Nacogdoches, Inc., PO Box 630411, 75963; to the ALS Fund in care of 803 W. Seale Street, 75964, or to a charity of choice.

February was the last time Charles Bright was in the news. The statue he always wanted for downtown Nacogdoches was dedicated. Everyone knew the tribute was really for Bright.

"Charles Bright is pointing the way with his vision of a beautiful, livable Downtown Nacogdoches," said historian Ab Abernethy.

Today employees at Bright Coop Company, an international poultry cage unloading manufacturer, were busy at work. The company founder has been away for a while. Alzheimer's robbed him of all the memories he carefully preserved on every available office wall space.

"He's the only man that I know of that could stand in the square and go north, south, east and west and tell you who lived where," said Clem Russell, the vice president of Bright Coop. "He knew and loved Nacogdoches. He's never lived more than two miles from the center of Nacogdoches."

 

Bright cherished his products and his employees. He didn't have children, but he had his employees.

"The employees of Bright Coop he considered to be his children," Russell said.

A business deal was the start to a longtime friendship with Bo Pilgrim.

"I picked up the Coops up off the ground and handed them to him and he stacked them on that truck," Bright said in 2008. "And he has been a friend and our customer ever since."

Bright's  accomplishments and service to individuals and the community are too numerous to list. Those who knew bright will always remember. Those who didn't will be taught.

"They will think about a man who cared about his hometown, cared about downtown. How important it is to be called 'The Oldest Town In Texas'?" said Bright's sister, Joyce Swearingen in a February interview.

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