J.B. "Sonny" Bright

J.B. "Sonny" Bright, a resident of Sulphur, OK, was born on December 26, 1938 in Bakersfield, CA to Dovie (Marley) and Jack Bright. He passed away at home surrounded by his family on Sunday May 29, 2016 at the age of 77. Sonny graduated from high school at Lone Grove, and then went on to graduate from the University of Oklahoma where he received his B.S. in Business Administation. Sonny married Sally (Rossman) on June 22, 1968 in Durant, OK. Sonny started working for Chickasaw Telephone Company on January 1, 1957, while working is when he completed his degree, and then continued to work for the telephone company for 59 years. He started out by climbing poles and rewiring. He has been a member of the Oklahoma Telephone Association for numerous years, serving on the OTA board from 1987 to 2007, was inducted into the OTA Hall of Fame in 2002, and was awarded the OTA Bill Barnes Award in 2008. In 1958 Sonny joined the military, training in the Dallas Naval Reserves. In 1960, he was called up for active duty as a pilot in the U.S. Navy Reserves. Most of his time in the Navy was spent in Pensacola, FL. Due to a plane crash; Sonny was honorably discharged from the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Junior grade in 1966. He is a life member of the Navy Retired Officers Assoc., the Naval Reserve Assoc., the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. Sonny is also a member of the Sulphur United Methodist Church and served on the Finance, Stewardship, and the Pastor Parish Relations Committees. Sonny also was a member of AA and has been sober for 37 years. He attended a meeting every night, taught class at the VA, and was there even on holidays and helped so many. He was on the Sulphur Boy Scout Committee, Arbuckle Area Boy Scout executive board, Washita District Boy Scouts board member, in 1996 received a BSA silver Beaver Award, and 1997 was inducted into the Washita District BSA Hall of Fame. Sonny served as President of the Sulphur Chamber of Commerce in 1994, Flag Chairman from 1990 - 1996, was De Lannom Citizen of the year in 1999. He held several board positions with Murray County Industrial Authority, March of Dimes, American Red Cross, Murray County Red Cross Chair, Oklahoma State Troopers Assoc. Honorary Member, and B&PW Boss of the Year, 1988. Sonny joined the Kiwanis Club of Sulphur in June 1979. Sonny was one of the most active members of the Division 20 of the Texas-Oklahoma District. He has built 7 Kiwanis Clubs in Oklahoma. He brought over 1000 new members to a Kiwanis Club somewhere. Sonny was referred to as “Mr. Kiwanis” by many. He was a member of the Past Presidents Assoc.and of the Lt. Gov. Assoc. within the T-O District. He was instrumental in getting a Key Club started at Sulphur High School. A few of the accomplishment Sonny has been awarded with are George F. Hixon Award, T-O Dist. C.T. Bush Award, Key Club T-O Governor’s Distinguished Award, Key Club G. Harold Martin Fellow Award, Kiwanis International Tablet of Honor, and the TX-OK Key Club Hall of Fame Award. He is a Life Member of the T-O Lt. Gov. Assoc., Life Member of the T-O District, and Life Member of Kiwanis International. He has attended approximately 21 Kiwanis Int’l Conventions, too many T-O District Conventions to count. Sonny has served as the Lt. Gov. of the T-O Dist. three times, and Pres. of the Murray County Kiwanis twice and once as President of the Sulphur Kiwanis Club. His love of Kiwanis showed through his work and service especially with the Children’s Miracle Network. He has spent countless hours selling ducks and raising money tirelessly for the Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma. Sonny met his personal goal of raising $10,000. The Annual J.B. ‘Sonny’ Bright Duck Race is now held in Oklahoma City each year. He served on the Kiwanis Advisory Board of Oklahoma CMN to make sure that those in need could receive the help they so desperately needed. Preceded by His Parents Jack and Dovie Bright In Laws Gerald and Maxine Rossman Brother Gayle R Bright Sister in Law Sandra Rossman Owens Sister Edith Wright & Brother in law Monte Wright Nephew David Wright Nephew Raymond Bright Survived by: His wife Sally of their home in Sulphur, OK Daughter - Lori Bright of Sulphur, OK Sister Margret Goates and husband Dale of Cleveland, AR Nephew Ricky Bright and wife Jimmie Ann of Lone Grove, OK Nephew Billy Bright and wife Barbara of Springer, OK Nephew Mark Goates and wife Janet of Arkansas Niece Kathy Wright Twyford and husband Larry of Lone Grove, OK Nephew Kent Goates and wife Donna of Lone Grove, OK Niece Kelli Goates Hodges and husband Steve of Russellville, AR Great Nephew Brandon Twyford and wife Lacey and their children Brody and Brax of Ardmore,OK Great Nephew Jason Twyford and wife Sherri and their children Graci and Nate of Lone Grove,OK Services will be held on Thursday June 2, 2016 at 1:30 PM at the Sulphur United Methodist Church. Visitation is Wednesday June 1, 2016 from 5 to 6 PM at DeArman Funeral Home of Sulphur. Services are under the direction of DeArman Funeral Home of Sulphur. In lieu of flowers please send donations to: Kiwanis Children's Miracle Network Foundation / 6501 Broadway Extension, Suite 190 / OKC, OK 73116 (Attn: Jan) or Oklahoma Telephone Assoc. Scholarship Fund / 3800 North Classen Blvd. , Suite 215 / OKC, OK 73118.

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J.B. "Sonny" Bright

December 26, 1938 - May 29, 2016