Eddie Lee Wright

Eddie Lee Wright was born April 6, 1947, at San Gabriel, California. He was the son of Howard DeWitt and Frances E. (Hills) Wright. Eddie grew up in the San Gabriel, Los Angeles, California area. In 1978, after his military service, he moved to Peoria, Kansas. He has resided in Pomona, Williamsburg and Michigan Valley, all of Kansas, moving to Ottawa in 2000, where he made his home until his death Friday, April 19, 2002, at the age of fifty-five years. Eddie attended schools in the San Gabriel, Los Angeles, California area, later earning his G.E.D. For six years, he was a forklift operator for the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Ottawa, retiring in November of 2001, due to health reasons. From 1985 to 1987, he was employed in the maintenance department for the Sunflower Ammunition Plant in DeSoto, Kansas, and previously as an ironworker in Los Angeles, California, and Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Wright was a Vietnam veteran. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps as a general warehouse man, coordinating and shipping supplies, from 1966 to 1970. He attained the rank of Sergeant and received the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Eddie re-enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, with the Ranger Battalion, from 1974 to 1978. He was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church of Ottawa. An outdoorsman, Eddie loved to go fishing, hunting, and camping. He was united in marriage with Margaret S. Harris. They later divorced. He is survived by his mother, Frances E. Hills of Ottawa; two sons, Paul Wright and his wife, Kimberly J., of Ottawa, Lee Rex Wright of Ottawa; brother, William D. Wright and his wife, Patricia, of Williamsburg; sister, Dorothy Scales and her husband, Jim, of Ottawa; two granddaughters, Alisha Wright of Paola, Kianna Wright of Ottawa; three nieces, Valinda Sue Mullin, Kim S. Wright, Amy Welton; two nephews, Jack Deelee Gilliland, Wayne Gilliland; four great-nieces, Ashley Gilliland, Morgan Gilliland, Kara Mullen, Mya Heyett; and, five great-nephews, Russel Mullen, Billy Gilliland, Garrett Wright, Drew Birzer, Avery Welton. He is preceded in death by his father, Howard DeWitt Wright, in 1993. SERVICES: Graveside services and inurnment will be held at Highland Cemetery 11:00a.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2002, with military honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Pastor Martin McPheron of the First Southern Baptist Church, Ottawa, Kansas. IN STATE: Mr. Wright was cremated. The family will meet with friends at Dengel & Son Mortuary 10:00a.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2002, then go in procession to Highland Cemetery for graveside services. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Midland Hospice, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.