With sadness we share that our precious Dad passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2022 in Apopka, Florida.
He was born 4/16/1928 in Union Springs, NY to Kenneth & Clara Wright. His 3 yr old sister, Aunt June historically prepared shredded wheat & warm milk for her new brother after he was born!
At the age of 5 Dad developed a high fever due to mastoiditis & pneumonia — his physician advised he would not live, unless there was a miracle in his behalf. He was anointed that night & through a very special miracle he was healed during the night – fever was completely resolved by morning. His physician then advised his parents if they wanted their son to live they should move to a warmer climate, as his immune system couldn’t tolerate the cold.
In 1936 his parents moved to Florida & his father served as an educator in the Florida conference.
They later moved to Atlanta as Union Educator. At the end of 1943 they moved to Southern Junior College & his father became President. Dad enjoyed working on the farm with Don Pierson. He was very mechanical & thoroughly enjoyed working on cars … old or new! He spent a year at La Sierra College, then came back to SMC to graduate in 1951 with a degree in Education & Religion.
Through best friends, Tom & Betty Ashlock, Dad was introduced to Myrna L. Jensen. Their friendship developed into romance & they were married July 29th, 1951 in Takoma Park, MD. Dad presented Mom with a silver dollar & wanted the words to be their life motto … “In God we Trust” and & “United we Stand!”
They had four beautiful children .. Judy, born in 1953, Jim in 1956, Jeannie in 1958 & Jon in 1965.
Dad taught at Spencerville, then at Forest Lake Academy as Bible & History teacher. In 1963 he received a call so serve as a missionary in the Trans-Africa Division from Elder Robert Pierson. Dad was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel in 1963.
Then the family started their first overseas voyage, on the MS Nordholm & travelled to the beautiful city of Cape Town, S. Africa. This began their 17 years of dedicated mission service in Africa. Our little brother Jon was born September 24, 1965 while serving at Bethel College. They later served in Malawi as well as at Solusi College as Seminary Instructor. Dad’s goal was to teach seminary students how to become ministers & he served with love & compassion.
They returned to the States & served at Holbrook Mission School as well as Kentucky before retiring.
They moved to Avon Park, FL & lovingly served their community for 30 years in retirement. He served as chaplain in the Civil Air Patrol for 12 years, as well as chaplain of Prison Ministries & providing Meals on Wheels. A project dear to his heart was assisting in building the Chickamwazi church in Malawi, Africa.
They moved to Apopka, Florida to be closer to family in 2018. Dad moved into the Florida Living Retirement Center to be close to Mom at her Care Center. He served as an elder of his church & was blessed meeting many new friends.
He is survived by his four children,
Jim Wright (Kingman, AZ)
Jon Wright ( Dawne) (Battleground WA)
Judy Clarke (Jim) (Orlando, FL)
Jeannie Bankston (Jupiter, FL)
Two grandchildren, Jared (Marlissa) Clarke ( Apopka, FL), Julie Clarke (Orlando, FL) & one great grand-daughter, Isabella Clarke (Orlando, FL). He is pretty-deceased by parents, Kenneth & Clara Wright, his four siblings, June Frame, Walter & Kenneth Wright, and his dear wife, Myrna Wright if seventy years.