Eugene C Wright 1926 - 2010

WRIGHT JOHNSON SHAFFER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 11/8/2010 at 21:34:57

Sioux City Journal
2 May 2010

SIOUX CITY -- Eugene C. Wright formerly of Sioux City passed away April 24, 2010 at his home in Mesa, Ariz.

Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church of Mesa, 4800 Brown Road, Mesa Ariz.

Gene was born June 9, 1926, in Sioux City, the son of Harvey C. Wright and Anna E. Johnson. Gene graduated from East High School in 1944. Gene had three sisters, now deceased.

He married his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Mae Shaffer, on Oct. 26, 1944, in Norfolk, Va. That same year he enlisted with the U.S. Navy and served his country as a motor machinists mate during World War II until he was discharged in 1946. He began work with the Sioux City Fire Department in 1949, retiring after 35 years in 1985 as the deputy fire chief. Gene and his wife, Bonnie relocated to Mesa, Ariz., in 1993, and spent much of their time volunteering in their community. Bonnie passed away on Aug. 3, 2007. Gene and Bonnie were married for 63 years.

Gene was active in Sioux City Shriners and volunteered with the Red Cross and at Banner Baywood Hospital in Mesa.

Gene is survived by his six children, five daughters and one son, Cynthia Knight of Creswell, Ore., Gayle Flanders and her spouse, Byron of San Ramon, Calif., Karen McHenry and her spouse, Don of Poway, Calif., Janet of Chandler, Ariz., Michelle Edwards of Crescent City, Calif., and Derald and his spouse, Sharrell of Sioux City; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice in his memory.