Published in the Modesto Bee November 5, 2011:
"Thomas Bright (1923 - 2011)
Thomas Austin Bright
May 16, 1923 - October 31, 2011
Thomas, known as "Tommy" by his dearest friends, was born in Modesto, CA, on May 16, 1923. His parents, Ernest and Ruth were from early pioneer families of the Central Valley and Mountain areas. Starting in 1935 he would spend his summers working for his Uncle and Aunt, Robert and Maude Bright in Aspen Valley-Yosemite National Park. He attended Modesto High School graduating in 1941, as the Senior Class President.
When WWII broke out he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. His home base was Burtonwood, England. He was assigned to the Photography Unit and went on survey missions to take pictures of enemy fortifications and possible targets. The entertainment for U.S. Servicemen was going to local dances. At one dance he met a young girl by the name of Elizabeth Gower. They became engaged and were married September 1, 1945.
Thomas arrived home and was hired by Stanislaus County as an appraiser in the assessor's office. At the same time with Robert White, his cousin, they worked to establish the National Guard in Stanislaus County. One day Ed Hanes the County Chief Administrative Officer asked Thomas to be his Assistant. Thomas held that position for the next 22 years. He wore many hats, including Public Guardian and Civil Defense Director.
He was also instrumental in starting the County Mental Health Department in 1965. He was the Acting Welfare Director for one year and acting CAO when the CAO took a leave of absence. He had the foresight to buy up all the property on I street between 15th and 16th Street and worked with the City Manager to build a new library.
Upon retirement in 1976 he consulted with other counties at their request and did consulting with many firms in the Modesto area. He couldn't stay out of the limelight and was appointed as an interim City Council member and later elected for a full term. At the same time he also rented land from his cousin and raised a small herd of cattle.
His vacations were spent with his family at his summer home in Aspen Valley. Thomas is survived by his wife, Elizabeth of 66 years of marriage, son Thomas II, and daughter Valerie, daughter-in-law Ruth Anne, son-in-law Steve, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
He has been a member of Masonic Lodge 206 and a member of the Elks Lodge 1282 for over 50 years. Remembrances may be sent to Casa de Modesto or a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the Masonic Lodge, 800 Rose Ave., Modesto, CA."
"Thomas Bright (1923 - 2011)
Thomas Austin Bright
May 16, 1923 - October 31, 2011
Thomas, known as "Tommy" by his dearest friends, was born in Modesto, CA, on May 16, 1923. His parents, Ernest and Ruth were from early pioneer families of the Central Valley and Mountain areas. Starting in 1935 he would spend his summers working for his Uncle and Aunt, Robert and Maude Bright in Aspen Valley-Yosemite National Park. He attended Modesto High School graduating in 1941, as the Senior Class President.
When WWII broke out he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. His home base was Burtonwood, England. He was assigned to the Photography Unit and went on survey missions to take pictures of enemy fortifications and possible targets. The entertainment for U.S. Servicemen was going to local dances. At one dance he met a young girl by the name of Elizabeth Gower. They became engaged and were married September 1, 1945.
Thomas arrived home and was hired by Stanislaus County as an appraiser in the assessor's office. At the same time with Robert White, his cousin, they worked to establish the National Guard in Stanislaus County. One day Ed Hanes the County Chief Administrative Officer asked Thomas to be his Assistant. Thomas held that position for the next 22 years. He wore many hats, including Public Guardian and Civil Defense Director.
He was also instrumental in starting the County Mental Health Department in 1965. He was the Acting Welfare Director for one year and acting CAO when the CAO took a leave of absence. He had the foresight to buy up all the property on I street between 15th and 16th Street and worked with the City Manager to build a new library.
Upon retirement in 1976 he consulted with other counties at their request and did consulting with many firms in the Modesto area. He couldn't stay out of the limelight and was appointed as an interim City Council member and later elected for a full term. At the same time he also rented land from his cousin and raised a small herd of cattle.
His vacations were spent with his family at his summer home in Aspen Valley. Thomas is survived by his wife, Elizabeth of 66 years of marriage, son Thomas II, and daughter Valerie, daughter-in-law Ruth Anne, son-in-law Steve, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
He has been a member of Masonic Lodge 206 and a member of the Elks Lodge 1282 for over 50 years. Remembrances may be sent to Casa de Modesto or a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the Masonic Lodge, 800 Rose Ave., Modesto, CA."
Published in the Modesto Bee November 5, 2011:
"Thomas Bright (1923 - 2011)
Thomas Austin Bright
May 16, 1923 - October 31, 2011
Thomas, known as "Tommy" by his dearest friends, was born in Modesto, CA, on May 16, 1923. His parents, Ernest and Ruth were from early pioneer families of the Central Valley and Mountain areas. Starting in 1935 he would spend his summers working for his Uncle and Aunt, Robert and Maude Bright in Aspen Valley-Yosemite National Park. He attended Modesto High School graduating in 1941, as the Senior Class President.
When WWII broke out he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. His home base was Burtonwood, England. He was assigned to the Photography Unit and went on survey missions to take pictures of enemy fortifications and possible targets. The entertainment for U.S. Servicemen was going to local dances. At one dance he met a young girl by the name of Elizabeth Gower. They became engaged and were married September 1, 1945.
Thomas arrived home and was hired by Stanislaus County as an appraiser in the assessor's office. At the same time with Robert White, his cousin, they worked to establish the National Guard in Stanislaus County. One day Ed Hanes the County Chief Administrative Officer asked Thomas to be his Assistant. Thomas held that position for the next 22 years. He wore many hats, including Public Guardian and Civil Defense Director.
He was also instrumental in starting the County Mental Health Department in 1965. He was the Acting Welfare Director for one year and acting CAO when the CAO took a leave of absence. He had the foresight to buy up all the property on I street between 15th and 16th Street and worked with the City Manager to build a new library.
Upon retirement in 1976 he consulted with other counties at their request and did consulting with many firms in the Modesto area. He couldn't stay out of the limelight and was appointed as an interim City Council member and later elected for a full term. At the same time he also rented land from his cousin and raised a small herd of cattle.
His vacations were spent with his family at his summer home in Aspen Valley. Thomas is survived by his wife, Elizabeth of 66 years of marriage, son Thomas II, and daughter Valerie, daughter-in-law Ruth Anne, son-in-law Steve, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
He has been a member of Masonic Lodge 206 and a member of the Elks Lodge 1282 for over 50 years. Remembrances may be sent to Casa de Modesto or a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the Masonic Lodge, 800 Rose Ave., Modesto, CA."
"Thomas Bright (1923 - 2011)
Thomas Austin Bright
May 16, 1923 - October 31, 2011
Thomas, known as "Tommy" by his dearest friends, was born in Modesto, CA, on May 16, 1923. His parents, Ernest and Ruth were from early pioneer families of the Central Valley and Mountain areas. Starting in 1935 he would spend his summers working for his Uncle and Aunt, Robert and Maude Bright in Aspen Valley-Yosemite National Park. He attended Modesto High School graduating in 1941, as the Senior Class President.
When WWII broke out he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. His home base was Burtonwood, England. He was assigned to the Photography Unit and went on survey missions to take pictures of enemy fortifications and possible targets. The entertainment for U.S. Servicemen was going to local dances. At one dance he met a young girl by the name of Elizabeth Gower. They became engaged and were married September 1, 1945.
Thomas arrived home and was hired by Stanislaus County as an appraiser in the assessor's office. At the same time with Robert White, his cousin, they worked to establish the National Guard in Stanislaus County. One day Ed Hanes the County Chief Administrative Officer asked Thomas to be his Assistant. Thomas held that position for the next 22 years. He wore many hats, including Public Guardian and Civil Defense Director.
He was also instrumental in starting the County Mental Health Department in 1965. He was the Acting Welfare Director for one year and acting CAO when the CAO took a leave of absence. He had the foresight to buy up all the property on I street between 15th and 16th Street and worked with the City Manager to build a new library.
Upon retirement in 1976 he consulted with other counties at their request and did consulting with many firms in the Modesto area. He couldn't stay out of the limelight and was appointed as an interim City Council member and later elected for a full term. At the same time he also rented land from his cousin and raised a small herd of cattle.
His vacations were spent with his family at his summer home in Aspen Valley. Thomas is survived by his wife, Elizabeth of 66 years of marriage, son Thomas II, and daughter Valerie, daughter-in-law Ruth Anne, son-in-law Steve, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
He has been a member of Masonic Lodge 206 and a member of the Elks Lodge 1282 for over 50 years. Remembrances may be sent to Casa de Modesto or a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the Masonic Lodge, 800 Rose Ave., Modesto, CA."
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