Henry G. Bright Jr., 74, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, after a fierce fight with cancer. Henry resided in Saluda, N.C., with his loving wife, Sandie. Born March 29, 1941, in Burlington, N.C., he attended Gardner Webb College and NC State. He obtained his Masters Degree from UNC Greensboro. After a long career as an elementary school principal, Henry moved to the Washington, D.C. area where he met Sandie and began a 32-year love affair. While residing in the metropolitan D.C. area, he worked for Equitable Life Assurance, earning numerous awards and accolades during his 10-year career. But, he yearned to return to his love of working with children, serving as principal of two private schools.

Upon retirement, Henry and Sandie moved to Saluda, N.C., and became an integral part of the Polk County community. During his 10 years in the community, Henry served as a member of the county’s 20/20 Visioning Committee and the Unified Development Ordinance Committee. In Saluda, he served as a member and chair of the Saluda Senior Center; a member of the city’s Board of Adjustments; a member, then chair, of the city’s Planning Board; a member of the Saluda Historic Committee; and chair of the Saluda Historic Depot Committee. He was also active, both as an actor and as a board member, in the Tryon Little Theater. Henry had a passion for life, loved storytelling and his family.

Henry is survived by his beloved wife of 27 years, Sandie, his devoted sister Judy Bright of Raleigh, his son Jeff Bright, daughter Susan Combs, stepson Michael Stone, and stepdaughters Bekie Edwards and Tracie Johnson. Henry’s youngest son, Neil, passed away in 2010. Henry also had 12 wonderful grandchildren: Cortney Bright; Matthew, Ryan and Jonathan Combs; Carson, Gracyn, Paris and Brielle Bright; Jordin, Devon and Rachel Johnson; and Emily Edwards.

Services will be held at Tryon Presbyterian Church on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015, at 3 p.m., with interment at the Saluda Cemetery immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Saluda Historic Depot, PO Box 990, Saluda, NC 28773, or Tryon Presbyterian Church.

An online guest book is available by visiting www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel,
Tryon, N.C.