Vernon "Sooner" R. Bright

Vernon R. “Sooner” Bright, age 92, of Robesonia passed away on Monday, January 23, 2023 at the Reading Hospital.

He was the husband of 69 years to Patricia A. (Gerhart) Bright.

Born in Kenhorst on December 18, 1930 a son of the late Vernon T.  and Helen I. (Davis) Bright.

He was a 1948 graduate of Robesonia High School and a graduate of the Reading Business Institute. He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954.

Sooner was employed as an Underwriter for Donegal Insurance Company for 47 years, retiring in 1997. He also owned the C. Jacob Speicher Agency for 10 years.

He was a life-long active member of St. Daniel’s Lutheran Church, a founding member and secretary/treasurer of the Robesonia Golf League for 50 years, a member of Williamson Lodge # 307 F.&A.M., Womelsdorf, and the Rajah Shrine. He was an honorary member of the Old Timers Association and in 2002 was awarded the Conrad Weiser Old Timers Athletic Award.

Sooner always loved sports, especially the Red Sox. He was one of the founders of the Conrad Weiser Athletic Booster Club and was an avid supporter of Conrad Weiser sports. He loved attending basketball games with his good friend Eugene Kline and in the 1960’s they started a boys Saturday basketball program and ran that and other summer programs for almost 20 years.

In addition to his wife he is survived by a son, David M. Bright husband of Sandra “Sam”; a daughter, Susanne M. wife of Michael Zerbe; a sister, Dorothy Ravert widow of John; three brothers, Donald Bright widower of Julie, Randy Bright husband of Suzanne, and Robert Bright husband of Thelma; three grandchildren, Betsy (Daniel), Andrew (Ashlee), and Steve (Michelle); and five great grandchildren, Lucy, Amelia, Addelyn, Broderick, and Cecilia.

A visitation with the family will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at Cole Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Robesonia and a visitation on Sunday, January 29, 2023 from 11:30am to 1:30pm at St. Daniel’s Lutheran Church, Robesonia. A Masonic Service by Williamson Lodge will begin at 1:30pm at the Church with the Memorial Service immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to St. Daniel’s Lutheran Church, 480 Big Spring Rd., Robesonia, PA 19551.

Online condolences may be made at www.ColeFH.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vernon "Sooner" R. Bright, please visit our floral store.