2 Jul 1944 – 7 Mar 2007
2nd-Great Grandson of Philip Cardon and Martha Marie Tourn
Great Grandson of Jean Paul Cardon and Susannah Goudin
Grandson of Lucy Gaudin Cardon and William Merrill
Son of Leah Merrill and Hazen Wesley Bright
LEWISTON – John Wesley Bright, 62, passed away peacefully at his home March 7, 2007, from complications of diabetes. Born July 2, 1944, in Lewiston, he was the fourth of five children in the family of Hazen Wesley and Leah Merrill Bright.
John was a loving husband, father, son and uncle, beloved by all who knew him. He was known as a gentle, talented man who selflessly served in his church and community. He lived most of his life in Lewiston, where he was raised on the family dairy farm. He graduated from North Cache High School in 1962 and served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern California Mission from 1963-65. He married Kathryn Allen on August 1, 1969, in the Logan LDS Temple.
John had an abiding love of learning and natural curiosity with broad interests. He earned a B.A. in French, BYU; M.Ed. in English, USU; certificate in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language), USU, B.A. in Music, USU, and completed extensive work toward an M.A. in Choral Conducting. He loved culture and languages, mastering French and Spanish, and studying many other languages such as Portuguese and Chinese. He was a gifted teacher, working as an adjunct professor at the Language Institute, USU, and in secondary education. He forged relationships with people from all over the world.
John had an adventurous spirit and willingly tried nearly any task. During his life he worked as an auto-mechanic, owned and operated a dairy farm, and he constructed a home for his family.
His true passion was music. He engaged in extensive study of composition and choral, guitar, and piano performance. Among his musical achievements, he served and performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (1974-1977), the Northern Utah Choral Society, and he won awards from the International Composers Guild for his arrangements and keyboard compositions. He also served as director for many local ward and stake choirs.
John was dedicated to service, as expressed through his faithful fulfillment of numerous church and community responsibilities. He was a dedicated home teacher, and most recently served as high priest group instructor. In the 1980s he served as chair of the Lewiston library board and was instrumental in the effort to move the library to its present location. He was known for his genuine love of people and a willingness to serve all who crossed his path.
He is survived by his wife, Kathryn A. Bright; and six children, David S. Bright (Amy) and grandchildren Matthew, Esther, and Samuel of Dayton, Ohio, Deborah Bright Christensen (Jeffrey) of Livonia, Mich., Rebecca Bright of Arvada, Colo., Daniel H. Bright of Salt Lake City, Utah, Marianne Bright of Arvada, Colo., Linsey Bright Wright (BJ) and granddaughter Olivia of North Ogden, Utah; siblings and in-laws, Jed Hart (Camille) of West Valley City, Utah, Stephen H. Bright (Carol) of Provo, Utah, Mark W. Bright (Clides) of Bettendorf, Iowa, Louise Bright Wiser (Lewis) formerly of Lewiston, Kenneth R. Allen (Sue) of Palo Alto, Calif., Venette Kragenbrink (Gary) of Central City, Colo., Scott E. Allen (Terry) of Hurricane, Utah; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Hazen W. and Leah M. Bright; and his sister, Camille Bright Hart.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, in the Lewiston 3rd Ward chapel, Center and Main, Lewiston. Viewings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Lewiston 3rd Ward chapel Monday evening, and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday morning.
Burial will be in the Lewiston Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be mailed to The John Wesley Bright Memorial Fund, c/o Lewiston State Bank, P.O. Box 32, Lewiston, Utah, 84320. Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of Webb Funeral Home in Preston, Idaho.
Published in Logan Herald Journal from Mar. 10 to Mar. 16, 2007
Lewiston City Cemetery, Lewiston, Cache, Utah
