Thomas "Tom" R. Bright
<p>Thomas “Tom” R. Bright, 90, of Springfield, died at 7:38 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Lewis Memorial Christian Village.</p><p><br></p><p>Tom was born September 20, 1932, in Springfield, IL, the son of Herbert C. and Cora M. (Swift) Bright. He married Carolyn Jane “Kim” Miller on September 4, 1954, at Douglas Avenue Methodist Church in Springfield; she preceded him in death on March 20, 1994. Tom then met and married Judy Sommer in September of 1995; she preceded him in death in 2011.</p><p><br></p><p>Tom graduated from Springfield High School and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois and his master’s degree in Business Administration at Sangamon State University. Tom was employed with the Illinois Department of Transportation for 44 years and retired in the late 1990s. During his time with IDOT, Tom was a design engineer and was instrumental in designing the Eads Bridge and parts of the Dan Ryan Expressway. He was a member of Douglas Avenue Methodist Church. Tom loved woodworking and created some beautiful pieces of furniture over the years. He also enjoyed reading and completing crossword puzzles.</p><p><br></p><p>He was also preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jane Elizabeth Bright.</p><p><br></p><p>Tom is survived by his six children, Jennifer (Robert) Ashley of Keller, TX, Allyson (Greg) Mack of Springfield, John (Michiyo) Bright of Chelsea, AL, Charles (Crystal) Bright of Springfield, Margaret (Roger) Bell of Niantic, IL, and Peter (Amy) Bright of Springfield; twenty-one grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; brother, Daniel Bright of Springfield; and several nieces and nephews.</p><p><br></p><p>Visitation: Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30, 2022, at Boardman-Smith Funeral Home, 800 South Grand Avenue West, Springfield, IL.</p><p><br></p><p>Funeral Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Boardman-Smith Funeral Home.</p><p><br></p><p>Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.</p><p><br></p><p>Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 222718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.</p><p></p>Obituary
Thomas “Tom” R. Bright, 90, of Springfield, died at 7:38 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Lewis Memorial Christian Village.
Tom was born September 20, 1932, in Springfield, IL, the son of Herbert C. and Cora M. (Swift) Bright. He married Carolyn Jane “Kim” Miller on September 4, 1954, at Douglas Avenue Methodist Church in Springfield; she preceded him in death on March 20, 1994. Tom then met and married Judy Sommer in September of 1995; she preceded him in death in 2011.
Tom graduated from Springfield High School and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois and his master’s degree in Business Administration at Sangamon State University. Tom was employed with the Illinois Department of Transportation for 44 years and retired in the late 1990s. During his time with IDOT, Tom was a design engineer and was instrumental in designing the Eads Bridge and parts of the Dan Ryan Expressway. He was a member of Douglas Avenue Methodist Church. Tom loved woodworking and created some beautiful pieces of furniture over the years. He also enjoyed reading and completing crossword puzzles.
He was also preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jane Elizabeth Bright.
Tom is survived by his six children, Jennifer (Robert) Ashley of Keller, TX, Allyson (Greg) Mack of Springfield, John (Michiyo) Bright of Chelsea, AL, Charles (Crystal) Bright of Springfield, Margaret (Roger) Bell of Niantic, IL, and Peter (Amy) Bright of Springfield; twenty-one grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; brother, Daniel Bright of Springfield; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30, 2022, at Boardman-Smith Funeral Home, 800 South Grand Avenue West, Springfield, IL.
Funeral Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Boardman-Smith Funeral Home.
Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 222718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.
Events
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Springfield, IL 62704
10:00 AM
Springfield, IL 62704