John Richard Wright

John Richard Wright quietly passed away at his home to be with our Father on September 27, 2011.

John was born in Coggon, Iowa on July 4, 1925 to Paul Richard Wright & Elsie M. Nietert-Wright. John graduated from Coggon High School in 1942. At age 18, he set out on his own and headed west to Colorado.

In 1947, John continued west to Washington where he met the Smith family. John went to work for George W. Smith driving truck for wheat harvest in the Horse Heaven Hills and Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho. John soon fell in love with Rebecca Frances Smith. They married on October 6, 1947. They began their life together living in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Minnesota.

John farmed, ran a motel, owned a resort in Minnesota, sold real estate and built & remodeled houses. In 1968, John & Frances returned to Walla Walla and moved into the old Maxson house at the base of the Blue Mountains. They lived there as John built their own house on the property. When John retired, they spent the next 10 years visiting 23 states and Canada in their motor home.

John’s parents, Paul & Elsie Wright, preceded him in death as well as his sister, Dorothy Wright Napier. John is survived by his wife, Rebecca Frances Smith Wright. They had no children of their own but considered their 34 nieces & nephews as their kids. John is also survived by 2 nieces, Ann Powers Turner from California and Mary Powers Evans from Illinois; 2 grand nephews, Jeff & Larry Turner and also relatives in Iowa and Minnesota.

Viewing & visitation will be held on Friday, September 30, 2011 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA. The Graveside Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Mountain View Cemetery with Pastor Chris Kruger officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society, Walla Walla Community Hospice or the charity of the donor’s choice through the funeral home.