Clifford C. Wright, Jr.

Clifford Charles Wright, Jr., age 96, of Paola, Kansas passed away July 10, 2017 at Vintage Park Assisted Living, Paola, Kansas. Cliff was born January 24, 1921 at Fontana, Kansas. He was the third of four children born to Clifford C., Sr., and Lauretta (Barnes) Wright. He graduated from Fontana High School with the Class of 1938. Cliff served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945. He then attended college at the University of Kansas graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. He was united in marriage to Jessie Laughlin on December 2, 1945 at Kansas City, Kansas. They made their home in Kansas City, Missouri and later moved to Lawrence, Kansas. They became the proud parents of five children Anita, Libby, Carol, Chuck, and Brian. The family moved to Paola in 1949. He worked as a mechanical engineer for Fluor and Taylor Forge in California and Kansas, Rocketdyne in Neosho, Missouri, as well as BEHM in Osawatomie. Cliff continued working well into his 70s. Cliff published three books titled Kansas Folklore, World War II For One, and Roper Goes West. Besides writing, he enjoyed baseball, golfing, gardening, dancing, traveling, and playing card and board games. Being a huge Royals fan, he frequented their games and attended many of the Royals Spring training sessions. His most cherished pastime was the time he spent with his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years; two sisters Irma Player and Evelyn Barlow; one brother Carl E. Wright; and son-in-law Paul Sandburg. He is survived by three daughters Anita Gilmore of Overland Park, Libby Wright and Carol Sandburg both of Paola; two sons Chuck Wright (Eva) of Paola and Brian Wright (Valerie) of LaCrosse, Kansas; 9 grandchildren Richard and Cathy Goins, Chris Schmidt, Amy Kiger, Paul Sandburg, Jr., Christine Hammen, Jessie Wright, Beth Wright, and Lorene Anderson; 8 great grandchildren Tommy Groshong, Tyler Goins, Anthony Goins, Camden Sandburg, Cadence Sandburg, Maisie Hammen, and Archer and Evie Anderson; and one great-great grandson Kain Groshong. To share your memories of Clifford or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the Share A Memory button.