John Eugene Charles Wright
“Living the life.”
Family picnics at the beach, Barbers’ Point, Hawaii; sailboat captain on the Kei Kei, off the shores of San Diego; fishing with grandchildren, Cuyamaca springs; traveling with Phyllis, wife and partner, from Michigan to New Zealand and everywhere in between! While Gene, as he was called by many, wasn’t a man without flaws, with strong convictions, opinions, and faith in God, he was determined and expected the same of himself as he did of others — excellence. As both a student and a teacher, he knew the meaning of life, which, when asked for he “the answer,” he replied, “Well, you have to figure that out for yourself.”
John Eugene Charles Wright was born in Rapid City, Mich., on Jan. 31, 1917. He was raised in Ludington, Mich., and graduated from Ludington High School where he met his future wife, Phyllis Baggot. Through a teaching job, John earned his tuition money for college; he graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
He entered WWII as an Ensign in the Supply Corps, where he served in the South Pacific. After 28 years of military service, which included assignments with the Atomic Energy Commission under Admiral Rickover, in charge of the Fuel for the Pacific, in Pearl Harbor and as Commanding Officer of the Long Beach Naval shipyard, Capt. JEC Wright retired to San Diego.
John and Phyllis enjoyed sailing, hiking, and fishing. They were also active in the East San Diego Presbyterian Church, where John served as an Elder. To be closer to their children and grandchildren, they moved to Oak Harbor in 2001.
John died on June 5, 2006 at Home Place Alzheimer Center. He is survived by Phyllis, his loving wife of 66 years; his three children, Elaine McDowell and husband Mac of Oak Harbor, Mary Jones of Woodstock, Va., and John Wright and wife, Ann, of Oak Harbor; four grandchildren, Kimberly Mattler, Misty McDowell, Josh Wright and Zachary Jones; and great-granddaughter, Alyssa Mattler.
A memorial service will be held Friday, June 9 at 9 a.m. at Whidbey Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, remembrance may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association @ www.alz.com. Services have been entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.
