Gary L. Wright

Gary L. Wright was born August 7, 1946 in Kansas City, Kansas. He was the son of Harry Douglas and Helen Maxine (Brady) Wright. He attended his early education in Kansas City, moving with his family at the age of sixteen to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gary graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1964.

Shortly after graduation, Gary enlisted into the service of this country in the United States Army; serving with the Combat Engineers during his tour in Viet Nam where he assisted in the construction of aircraft landing strips and roads. Sergeant Wright was one of a unique breed of soldiers in Viet Nam to have earned the nickname of "tunnel runner" and was loaned out as a "tunnel rat" to the 101st for a few months. After serving a tour of one year in Viet Nam, Gary was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma for eighteen months and was honorably discharged on February 13, 1968 and returned to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Gary was married to the love of his life, Sharon Webster on September 20, 1967 at the Southern Hills Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The couple had met and had three dates in Tulsa just prior to Gary shipping out for Army training in New Jersey. Upon his return to Tulsa and just three dates later, Gary was sent for his tour of duty in Viet Nam. A long distance romance led to their marriage upon his return to Tulsa. The couple made their initial home in Tulsa as Gary accepted employment with Lystads Pest Control. Later Gary began a career in the import and export business working for American Crating Company. The couple moved to Cleveland in 1973 where they raised their two children, Kelly and Kevin. Gary continued to work for American Crating Company, retiring in 2001 after twenty-six years of service as General Manager.

Gary was a member of the Abundant Life Church, south of Cleveland, near Westport. His hobbies included making knives and walking canes. He was an avid gun collector and gunsmith. Gary was also an excellent marksman. He served for nearly five years as a Pawnee County Reserve Deputy and was also an old west historian.

Gary passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at the Cleveland Area Hospital at the age of sixty-one. He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Douglas Wright; mother, Helen Maxine Garland; brother, Ronald Brady Wright and a grandson, Holden Kincaid Wright. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Wright, of the home in Cleveland, Oklahoma; son and his wife, Kevin Lynn and Tammy Wright of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; a daughter, Kelly Sue Price of Cleveland, Oklahoma; three sisters, Donna Burroughs, Gina Wright and Alma Richmond ; five grandchildren, Jared Sparks, Dustin Price, Ashley Price, Jesse Price and Montana Kaili Murphy Wright; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jane and J. D. Hostutler; nephew, Jonathan Hostutler and Danielle; neice, Charity and Bryant Brown and Alayna Brown; uncle, John Wright; numerous other relatives and friends

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at the Abundant Life Church with Pastor J. D. Hostutler officiating. Interment will follow at the Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.