Joseph Lenard Bright

Joseph "Joe Joe" Bright passed away on June 6, 2026, in Greeley, Colorado at age 64. Born in Brigham City, Utah, to Charles and Patricia Bright, he grew up in a lively Evanston, Wyoming Victorian home with seven siblings—and allegedly a ghost or two—sparking his lifelong love for the macabre and a delightfully dark sense of humor.

Joe lived life entirely on his own terms as a musician, traveler, and storyteller. His adventures spanned serving an LDS mission in New Zealand, touring Europe and Canada with a dance group, and working the Wyoming oil fields before earning an English degree at Utah State. He went on to work as a technical writer for Thiokol and taught English in Hawaii and California, where he began writing the novels that had long lived in his imagination. Whether wandering through his beloved Italy or watching terrible horror movies in his Fort Collins man cave, Joe was always laughing. His simple advice to the world was: "Just enjoy life, really live it and enjoy it."

He is survived by his mother, Patricia; his former wife, Bonnie; brothers Forrest (Patti), Kalei (Vicki), and Tristram; sisters Kathy and Mary; and goddaughter Rebecca Neal (Bryan). He was preceded in death by his father, Charles; siblings Adrian and Lanice; and niece Alexis.

In true Joe fashion, he left us with instructions: no black, no sadness — just the people he loved and the laughter he lived for.

A viewing will be held Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm at the Round House in Evanston, Wyoming, followed by a celebration of life at 2:00 pm. Interment will follow at the Evanston City Cemetery. Color encouraged, joy required. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made via Venmo to @Kalei-Bright-2