Every once in a great while, the world gives birth to a very special child. And that child was my Dad.
When my Dad was born, the darkest of night shined real bright as day, and into this world came
James Shelby Brightwell
Born in Washington, DC, his parents were told that he would not live past the age of two, and yet he did.
He stumbled through school, and yet he passed.
He then joined the Air Force, and he toured the world and Vietnam in the middle of a war, and yes he came home alive.
And a very special woman he did meet, fell in love, and fell to her feet, and yes, she said, “I do.”
Marry her he did and two sons they raised: James and Michael Brightwell.
And two grandchildren they shared: Devin and Mekayla Brightwell.
A wonderful and honorable life he did lead, and I am honored to be his son.
He is a hero in any eyes and a hero to his country.
A fighting man, A family man, and in all of our lives A happy man.
He will be missed by his sister, May Gertrude Brightwell, and brother, John Smith.
By James Brightwell, Jr.
A memorial service with military honors will be presented at 3:00 PM on Friday, June 7, 2013 at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines 33744. http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/baypines.asp
Please sign the guestbook below.
LOVE ALWAYS
James, Michael and Aunt Gloria, you remain in my prayers as you face such a sad time. This picture is exactly how I alway think of Uncle Jimmy. He will certainly be missed, but never far from my thoughts.
Love to you all,
Deb
I love you and will miss you terribly, but knowing you are at peace gives me comfort. Your loving wife Gloria
Gloria&Family Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time. Jim was a great man and friend and will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him. May he rest in peace. God bless all of you. Love, Barb and Len
Gloria and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.Jim was a great man and friend and will be sadly missed by all that knew and loved him.May he rest in peace God Bless all of you. Love Barb&Len
Love ya gramp’s. See ya in heavan!
I was Jimmy’s oldest niece and I have so many memories of him and I as children and teens. He was only 2 years older than me. To me he was Jimmy not uncle Jimmy. He said he was to young to be called uncle. For years I had all the Elvis albums he gave me when he entered the Air Force and I remember seeing him in the front row of the Bob Hope Chirstmas show,,,I believe it was. We were waiting to watch the show on TV and there he was in the front row. I spent many weekends at my granparents home and sometimes he did his best to aggrivate me, but that was Jimmy. You will be missed and always in my heart.
Thats the uncle Jimmy I remember I still remember riding around Morningside Maryland with you in you’re in your Chevy Nova back in the middle 60’s when I was 10 or 11 Rest in Peace now you will see Sonny,Aunt Gloria and my mother
Gloria
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Remember you lived a fairy tale romance.
With love,
Lynn
Saying a prayer for you.
Gloria you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Hope you are doing okay! You have a lot of people that care about you and the loss of your Husband. God Bless!
I am sorry for your loss and our prayers go out to you
As a great individual once said ’when a storm has approached you, don’t take shelter but instead dance in the rain.’ A quote that has a figurative meaning that can touch all of our lives. While a true ’All American’ man has passed away, you and everyone who have had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr.Brightwell have to now rejoice in his uprising into Heaven. Imagine an indescribable place, that you visited, and to you in it the most incredible place in the world, it is your paradise, now know that your husband is in a place a finity times greater than that place. As humans it is our way to heal through years and pain, but know that your husband wants nothing more than for you, and your family to grow, and rekindle on his amazing eternity life.
I know I’m extremely religious, but Sincerely I can imagine your husband young, healthy, and jumping with happiness. The image of him on this website, is exactly how he is now, with God.
God bless you, and your family.
God will never Abandon you, nor husband. Know that and hold that close to your heart, because it’s true!!!
Love, sincerely, Tanja Svrdlin
Gloria you are in my prayers . If there is anything I can do to help you just ask.
A star shines brighter as we remember a good friend. Lots of memories seeing Jim and Gloria walking hand and hand in the store. How much it warmed my heart in today’s world. Love and prayers always Libby
Know that you and your family are in our prayers. Just to know he is at rest with our heavenly father brings me a joy that only a christian can feel. God will give you all the strength you need at this time of grief. Lean on our Heavenly father and he will bring you through. If John and I can do anything for you, just let of know. We are here for you my dear Gloria.
I love and miss you Dad I am happy that your are a better place now and healthy and feeling good again.
I am HONORED TO HAVE AND CARRY ON your name and I promise that I will take of Mom for you.
You got to travel the world and now you get to travel Heaven.
GOD BLESS AND YOU WILL BE MISSED.
So sorry for your loss.
RIP Mr.B
I would like to express my sympathy to the family. I served with Jim in the Air Force in Arizona, Thailand and Viet Nam. He was a great guy and fun to be around. So sorry for your loss. I have sent this obituary to all the other guys I know he served with in the U-2 program.
Go with peace Jim. I wish I got to know you better but I guess it wasn’t in the cards. I am sure we will finally meet some day. I extend condolences to your family. you will be missed
Your Oldest Son
Jerry