It's been difficult to write an obituary without writing about the hole left in my heart and my life.   

In the days leading up to his brutal murder in the street near our home we discussed obituaries.  

We discussed how they are so much about the people left behind and not the actual person.   Now that it's here, I've realized your life is about the people left behind.  

Here is the "newspaper version" of his obituary:  "Daryl  Bright, 61 passed away on 24 Mar 2023 and was predeceased by his father, Robert "Max" and his brother,  Rickey.  He left behind his mother, Barbara (83) who he was caring for and passed 6 days after his death.   He left behind his sister, Darlene Cannon (Indiana).  He left behind a wife, Laura, a son, Bob and a daughter,  Ashley.   He spent his career serving his country in the Air Force then the Marines before being disabled.  With years of work he regained some function and adopted animals that were homeless and neglected.  He's helped HUNDREDS of animals.  They were his therapy and helped relieve his pain.  We dearly miss him and have a hole in our hearts that will never be filled. "

There are so many others that are missing Daryl, people that were part of his life.  His animals miss him.  Most of them are being rehomed because I cannot take care of them alone.  We've had most of them since they were kittens or found homeless and starving.   One had to be put down because he's been crying for 5 weeks and searching for Daryl.   Another has been crying, but I am hoping she stops and can be rehomed.  They already had enough trauma. 

My mother asked me what Daryl would want for me.   I didn't have an answer until the EARLY hours this morning.  I'm not concerned with what he would want for me.  I am concerned with what he would DO.  He would NOT let a LIE stand.   He was MURDERED in cold blood in the street by a man that was angry and bitter over calls made to code enforcement that were made by a DIFFERENT neighbor.  (It's publicly available information.) 

The man that MURDERED my husband was not afraid of him.  He kept agitating the situation.  He drove in our yard toward our animals.  He drove at Daryl and revved his engine while Daryl was getting the mail (remember that Daryl was a disabled vet with painful hips and knees that were long overdue replacement).  He had garage sales and put up cones along his own yard and the yards of people he believed were his "friends", 'forcing' people to park in our yard, at one point breaking our water line (costly and dangerous to us and our pets). 

The murderer lied to many people about Daryl.  The people that put up one of our sheds had to be replaced because the lie scared them.  The murderer lied to new neighbors, causing additional friction on the street.  The murderer lied to patrons of his garage sale (you know, the people that he 'pushed'  to park in our yard near our outdoor animals).  I won't stand for a LIAR.  

One of the most important things I learned from Daryl is you stand up for people (and animals) that cannot stand up for themselves.   Daryl cannot stand up for himself or his animals, there is a long line of people that can and will. 

Godspeed, Daryl.  Take care of our fur babies until I see you all again. 

He brought a snake inside to me and our daughter and asked what kind it was.  I told him (in an outside voice) that  it was "an outside snake" .  

He let all creatures live if they weren't causing harm.  (incl. Snakes, mice, spiders)  He captured raccoons, possums, and mice and relocated them out of town so they could live their best lives undisturbed by people.  A few months in the Spring he didn't because he would just have to release babies or nursing mommas.