Grady Bright

Grady Bright, 87, of Melrose, NM, has entered into eternal peace on December 3, 2017, in Farwell, TX.
Grady Allen Bright was born May 3, 1930 to Isaac A. Bright and Ida L. (Kelly) Bright, in his family country home in Bailey County, Texas. He attended elementary school in Texico, NM, then the family moved to the Upton community where he attended Floyd School until his freshman year. The family then moved to the Melrose community where he completed high school. He was very active in sports playing football, basketball, and track. At the end of his sophomore year he started dating his forever Sweetheart, Mary Lois Smith. He graduated in 1948, and was valedictorian of his class. Grady and Mary Lois were married December 28, 1948.
He farmed, then worked as a United States Postal Clerk. He started working at El Rancho Milling Company in 1953 as a book keeper, then became branch manager in 1958. In 1963, El Rancho became Melrose Grain & Elevator, which he managed until his retirement in 1992. After retirement he served on the Board of Directors of Melrose Grain & Elevator. He worked for Ronnie Fouts CPA during tax season, drove tractors and grain trucks during harvest. He also always loved raising a big garden.
Grady was involved in many Melrose community activities including: Melrose City Council, serving as Mayor of Melrose for 11 years, Past President and Board of Directors of Melrose Chamber of Commerce, Past President and Secretary of the Melrose Lions Club, voluntary fire fighter for many years, and passionately involved in the Melrose Cemetery Association.
Grady served as the National Weather Observer for Melrose from 1957-2013. He was Past President of the Board of Directors of Eastern NM Natural Gas Association and NM Grain & Feed Dealers.
He became an active member of the Melrose Church of Christ in 1945. He was a Song Leader, Bible Class Teacher, and Deacon. He served as an Elder in the Church for 31 years.
His greatest service was to his Lord by being a godly husband and father. He loved his family, raising them to love the Lord. His pride and joy were his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Preceding his death are his parents; and sisters, Faye Bright, Florine Hawkins and Mary Lou Pinkston; and grandson, Jason Don Mitchell. Grady is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lois Bright of Melrose; sons, Gary (Gennifer) Bright of Melrose and Larry (Marilyn) Bright of Clovis; daughters, Cindy (Lonnie) Mitchell of Clovis and Deanna (Gerryl) Roach of Melrose; sisters, JoAnn (Bob) Brown of Clovis and Ginger (Steve) Hill of Miami, NM; ten grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be missed by everyone.
Steed Todd Funeral Home will be hosting visitation for Grady on Thursday, December 7, 2017, from 9:00am to 8:00pm. The family of Grady will be present from 6:00pm to 8:00pm to greet visitors. Funeral services will be held in Melrose at the Church of Christ at 2:00pm, Friday, December 8, 2017, with Wesley Roach officiating. Burial will follow immediately after at Melrose Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Wesley Roach, Darin Mitchell, Lance Roach, Seth Bright, Josh Bright, Randy Leslie, Monte Boaz, Skip Allen, and Jason McIntyre. Honorary bearers are all of his wonderful friends.
The family asks that memorial contributions be made in Grady's honor to the Melrose Cemetery Association or a charity of your choice.

Visitation

Steed-Todd Funeral Home
800 E Manana
Clovis, NM  88101
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
9:00 am to 8:00 pm

Steed-Todd Funeral Home
800 E Manana
Clovis, NM  88101
Thursday, December 7, 2017
9:00am to 8:00 pm

Service

Church of Christ
221 Main
Melrose, NM  88124
Friday, December 8, 2017
2:00 pm

Cemetery

Melrose Cemetery
Center St.
Melrose, NM  88124

Memorial Contributions

Melrose Cemetery Association
340 N 8th
Melrose, NM  88124