John William Wright, 79, of Richland, died March 29, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Services after a courageous battle with cancer.
His graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception afterward at the Richland Christian Church.
John William was the second child born to Gill and Lucille Wright on Oct. 15, 1925. He joined an older sister, Norma Jean, and a younger brother, Gill Jr. John attended grade school at New Bridge and high school at Richland, graduating with the class of 1943.
In October 1943, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was sent to the Reserve Officer Training Program at Willamette University in Salem for two years and the University of Washington at Seattle for one year.
After the war ended he attended Eastern Oregon College at La Grande. He was then called home to operate the family farm when his dad became ill.
John and Evelyn Pearson were married in Baker City on Aug. 30, 1950. In the early 1950s, John worked on the Brownlee Dam project as well as working on the farm. In 1954 the couple purchased their first ranch, the Burford place on Eagle Creek.
In 1963, John began leasing ranches in Halfway and also ended up purchasing three ranches in Pine Valley where he farmed for 20 years. John remained active in ranching until his death. He loved a good farm sale.
John also enjoyed outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing and skiing. He had an interest in flying and for a time, took flying lessons.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gill and Lucille; his wife, Evelyn, who died in 1988; and sister, Norma Jean.
Survivors include his son, Kim of Richland; daughter, Susan, and her husband, Bob Cameron, of Seattle; and brother, Gill Jr. of Alma, Neb.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Richland Christian Church or the New Bridge Nazarene Church through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, April 1, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
