BRIGHT, Thomas Richard

Mohave Daily News, Mohave Valley, AZ - Published in Mohave Daily News Online from June 23 to June 30, 2011 - Thomas Richard "Napa Tom" Bright, age 51, passed away with his wife by his side, on June 15, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nev. Tom overcame many challenges while hospitalized, but in the end, he could not overcome the pancreatitis. Tom was born on April 20, 1960, in Columbus, Ohio, to William and Marjorie Bright. He attended Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Illinois. He graduated in 1978 and then went on to college to be a pharmacist. However, Tom changed his mind about pharmacology and joined the United States Marine Corps. In the late 1980's, Tom moved to the desert from Arlington Heights, Illinois. He has lived in the Lake Havasu, Arizona and Needles, California area until 2005 when he moved to Mohave Valley, Arizona. Tom owned Needles Napa for about twenty years before selling it. During that time, he also owned the Bullhead Napa for about six years, but even after selling the store, he continued to work there and manage Napa. Tom enjoyed spending time at the river with his family and competing in open road racing with his wife. Tom also enjoyed going camping with his youngest son and drinking with his friends. Tom was a member of the Eagles and the Elks lodge. He was preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie Bright, and his father, William Bright. Tom is survived by his wife of 13 years, Robyn Bright of Mohave Valley, Ariz.; son, Ryan Bright, and daughter, Rachael Bright of Springfield, Mo.; daughter, Samantha Bright, and son, Dustin Bright, of Mohave Valley, Ariz.; two brothers, Michael Bright of Arlington Heights, Ill., and Timothy Bright of Rolling Meadows, Ill.; two sisters, Teresa (Jeff) Young of Sandy, Utah, and Tanja (Ken) Larimore of Effingham, Ill.; stepmother, Patti Cunningham of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and two grandkids of Springfield, Mo. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. Tom will be missed by all that have known him. There will be a memorial service for Tom at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 25, 2011, at the Elks Lodge, 1000 Lily Hill, Needles, Calif. A celebration of Tom's life will follow mmediately afterward. Please come in membrance and celebration of Napa Tom.