A Friend's Passing - Bruce Brighton

In August of this year, we traveled to Roosevelt for Theron's 50th class reunion.  We had dinner with Bruce and Deanne Brighton, Lynn and Susan Lemon, and then went to Bruce's house and talked for several hours about the good old days.

Bruce and Lynn are two of Theron's dearest friends and we have kept in touch with them for all these years.  I first met Bruce when I was teaching in Roosevelt.  He was working in the oil fields and was part of our single adults.  He had an infectious laugh.  Tall and lanky, with a swagger and positive vibes, he was a delight to be around.  He was a Roosevelt farmer at heart and was always working at something.

So it was a sad day for us on November 13, 2019, that we received a call from Lynn telling us that Bruce had died.  He was at his home in Gilbert, Arizona, and riding his mountain bike up Queen Creek talking with his son on the phone.  No one knows for sure what happened, but his son simply said all at once the phone went silent and no one answered his calls.  Bruce was found by his bicycle with blunt force trauma to his head and neck and died instantly.  He had swerved for something and went over his bicycle handles.  In this case even his helmet did not save him.  We are saddened and so aware of the precariousness of life.

We attended the funeral in Roosevelt and spoke briefly with Deanne, his wife, and his three children.  Deanne is not doing well with this sudden turn of events in her life.  It makes me wonder how I would handle a situation like this.  Even though I don't fear death, it's such a separation from someone you love for an extended period of time.  Loneliness is something I fear.

I guess these occurrences will be in our life from this point on because we are aging.  Bruce, we loved you and thank you for being part of our life.