Eddie Melvin Bright of Navarre died Sept. 25, 2008. Eddie was born in Greenwood, Ind., to Ralph and Mabel Bright. His love of the beaches brought him to Florida in 1966, where he remained. Eddie was one of seven children. Eddie spent his life in the auto body profession.
Eddie served his country for six years in the United States Marine Corps. While serving in the Marines, he received the National Service Defense Medal, the UN Service Medal and Korean Service Medal.
Eddie was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Post 0382. He considered his friends at both posts as his extended family.
Two sisters and two brothers precede him in death. He is survived by siblings James  “Bud”  L. Bright and Eleanor  “Garnet”  Brewer; five daughters, Melanie Bright Mead, Ohio;  Nita Bright Huddleston, Indiana; Cindy Bright McKinley, Florida, Linda Bright Allsbrook, Florida; Leigh Ann Bright Holland, Florida; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Eddie also leaves behind loved ones in Indiana, special friend Diane Bell; and his  “boys,”  Rudy, Mike, Jason, Bone, Duby, Ken and Tim.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the Gulf Breeze Baptist Hospital for the loving way they cared for Eddie and the kindness and compassion they extended to the family.
A celebration of Eddie’s life will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 3 at Rose Lawn Funeral Home, 2942 Gulf Breeze Parkway, followed by a procession to Barrancas National Cemetery.
Arrangements are entrusted to Rose Lawn Funeral Home of Gulf Breeze. You may offer condolences, share memories and sign the guestbook at www.roselawn-fh.com.