Obituary of Richard O Wright

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Obituary of Richard O. Wright

(1913 - 2009)

Richard "Dick" O Wright
April 26, 1913 - July 6, 2009

Richard O. (Dick) Wright

A graveside service is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Thursday, July 9, 2009 at South Park Cemetery for Richard O. (Dick) Wright, 96, of Roswell who passed away July 6, 2009 at his home. Harley Parnell will officiate.

Dick was born in Onalaska, Texas on April 26, 1913 to Leslie O. and Cora Wright. He attended school in Buna, Texas.

Dick was a teenager during the depression and attended CMTC at Fort Bullis in San Antonio, Texas to earn money to buy school clothes for his brothers and sisters and himself.

When the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was established, he joined it in Houston. He was soon promoted to the rank of sergeant, and was sent with a cadre of ten to Arizona to set up a CCC Camp at Bowie, Arizona. This group worked fighting forest fires and with soil erosion. Because of his work in Arizona, Dick was invited to be an honored guest at the celebration of the Chiricahua National Monument’s 75th anniversary on April 17, 1999.

He left the CCC and went to Clarksville, Texas in 1938 to work at Kurth Lumber Mill as a saw filer. There he met Avis Emery who became his wife on December 21, 1941. Because of the need for lumber during World War II, he was given a one-year enlistment deferment.

On September 30, 1943 Dick entered the 361st Engineer Regiment-S.S. During his military service, his unit followed the initial invasion of France on D-Day. They built landing strips, hospitals, mail processing stations, and kept supply routes open to the troops on the front line. When war was over in Europe, the S.S. Engineers were changed to Combat Engineers; and were sent to Japan. On the way they stopped in the Philippines to rebuild Clark Field. Before they reached Japan, the atomic bomb was dropped; and the Japanese surrendered. The 361st Engineers was then given the assignment to help rebuild Japan. He was discharged February 2, 1946 with the rank of Technical Sergeant, and returned to Clarksville, Texas where he settled down to working in a machine shop.

The West-Arizona and New Mexico- were in his heart, and hoped someday to return. The time did come. In 1959 the missile silos were being established in the Roswell, New Mexico area; and Roswell schools needed teachers. Avis applied for a teaching position and was accepted. Then the Wright family of three moved to Roswell.

In Roswell Dick worked at Smith Machinery for 19 years. When ENMU-R moved to the now vacant Air Base site, Dick was asked to help start a welding program for the college. Having had no training in the teaching field, this was a big decision. With encouragement and help from his wife and several local people, he accepted the challenge. He soon had 20 young men in a class that was short of money and machines. With lots of determination and a demand for respect and dignity in his classroom, he finished his teaching career in 1978. The average employment rate of the welders he trained over the years was 97%. During the ENMU-R 50th Anniversary in October, 2007, Dick was recognized for his contribution to the school.

After he retired, his only child, Mike Wright died in 1990. Then he and Avis traveled for several years in Europe, Canada, Alaska, and enjoyed many Elderhostel’s.

When age began to take its toll, they decided to sell their Pine Street home; and move into an area where help was available. Especially dear to his heart where his “Pine Street Kids” whom he encouraged to continue their education, many have done that, and he loved having them “come by.” Many of his welding students have kept in touch through the years.

Richard was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, and served as the trustee chairman for many years. He was a member of the “Backyard Boys” who kept the grounds of the church looking beautiful.

Dick is survived by four sisters and one brother, a brother in law, and numerous nephews and nieces, all in various places in Texas, as well, as Avis, his wife of 67 years. A special nephew is Bryan Sturch of Florence, CO, and a special niece Marian Holster of Mesquite, TX. Then there are his Pine Street Kids, The Roger Noriega Family (Roger, Alison, Roger, Jr, and Ryan) Amanda Lazano, and Randy and Jacqui Clark.

Memorials can be made in Dick’s name to ADK Memorial Scholarship Fund, Care of Roxie Moore, 1613 Mesa Drive, Roswell, NM 88203 or Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 915 W. 19th Street, Roswell NM 88201.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com.