Walter Bright

Walter C. Bright, Topeka, died October 11, 2007 at Midland Hospice House after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Mr. Bright was 79 years old. He was born in Marion, Indiana on June 29, 1928, the son of Ray E. and Aileen (Sharitt) Bright. He graduated from Marion High School with the Class of 1946. After learning to fly while in high school, he received his pilot's license four days after his 18th birthday.

He served in the United States Army Air Corps, from 1946 to 1949, in the United States, Japan, and the Philippine Islands, receiving an Honorable Discharge.

Following his discharge, Mr. Bright flew commercially, mainly cropdusters and sprayers in Indiana and Mississippi. He held a commercial pilot's license for single and multi-engine land airplanes.

Following his flying career, Mr. Bright spent many years in the electric utility business starting as a lineman with the Indiana & Michigan Electric Co. at Marion, Indiana. Over the years, he worked for line construction contractors, a municipal electric utility, and a cooperative electric utility. He retired in 1991 from Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Topeka, after 17 years as Director of Training and Safety. He was a Past Chairman of the National Utility Training and Safety Education Association.

Mr. Bright was a Member and Past Master of McCullough Lodge #737 Free and Accepted Masons, Marion, Indiana.

He married Lois M. King on June 12, 1955 in Marion, Indiana; she survives. Also surviving is a daughter, Gail E. Bright, Topeka and a sister, Mrs. Margaret Prien of Lafayette, Indiana and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. Mr. Bright was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert F. Bright, Marion, Indiana.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road, Topeka, Kansas. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Mr. Bright will lie in state at the funeral home after 2:00 p.m. on Monday and visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, Kansas 66606.