Eldred Duane Bright, a loved father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather, 91 passed peacefully from this life on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
Eldred, a longtime resident of Dry Fork, WV, was born on Tuesday, July 3, 1934. He was the son of the late Buddy Bright and Ruth Carr Bright. For 45 years, he was happily married to Shirley Ann Kyle Bright, who preceded him in death.
Left to cherish Eldred’s memory are five children, Susan Garcia and husband, Roberto, of Aurora, IL, Beverly Brown and husband, Porter, of St. Cloud, FL, Lois Smith and husband, Richard, of Newport News, VA, Michelle Draper and husband, Neal, of Yorktown, VA and Eldred “Kipp” Bright and wife, Julie, of Lindley, NY, a sister, Shirley Farrow of Pennsylvania, fourteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents and wife, Eldred was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Ann Bright Eye, and a sister, Linda Helmick.
Eldred was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting in the mountains and had a deep love for being from West Virginia. He enjoyed taking his grandchildren on four-wheeler rides, took pride in his garden and was a loving pet owner throughout his life. Most of all, Eldred loved spending time with his family, sharing stories, watching football and enjoying good food. Eldred had been employed in maintenance for Guest Services at Camp Peary, VA. He was a former member of Brights Chapel Church.
Visitation was held at the Hostetler Funeral Home on Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 6pm to 8pm. Funeral services were held at the funeral home chapel on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 11am. Rev. James Snyder officiated, and interment followed at the Brights Chapel Cemetery at Dry Fork. The Hostetler Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Eldred Duane Bright. Send online condolences to the family at www.hostetlerfuneralhome.com.
