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Submitted: 3/16/17 • Approved: 3/30/17 • Last Updated: 4/2/17 • R1181005-G0-S3
Jan 18, 1926 - Oct 11, 2016
Obituary
rollerfuneralhomes.com
Charles Curtis Wright age 90, of Conway, Arkansas died Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at his home in Conway, after a brief illness. Mr. Wright was born on January 18, 1926 in Texarkana, Arkansas.
Charles grew up in Conway and graduated from Conway High School in 1944. Shortly after he graduated, he was recruited into the Marine Corps. He enjoyed recalling that he mentioned at the recruiting station his wish to join the Navy. His remark was overheard by a Marine Recruiter who told him he had just volunteered for the Marine Corps.
Charles was a veteran of World War II, where he earned several service metals, including the Purple Heart which he earned in the battle of Iwo Jima. He was severely wounded by two bullets 71 years ago at age 19 in that battle two days before the island was secured while serving with the 5th Marine Division, 28th Regiment. Given up for dead with a bullet still lodged in his brain, he was eventually found and then spent a long recuperation in military hospitals in California and Memphis before returning to Conway. He attended Arkansas Teachers College for six years before marrying Esther Gill in 1951.
They spent the next 65 years loving and taking care of each other, traveling, working jigsaw and crossword puzzles until his sight failed him. They also loved playing games like dominoes, skip-bo, and pollyanna until the wee hours of the night. He always said that he had a good life and enjoyed it even though he couldn’t do a lot of things.
Mr. Wright is survived by his loving wife, Esther, daughters, Karen Marie Ward (Joel) and Donna Gail Wright, granddaughter, Josie Marie Insurriaga (Danny), great-grandson, Jude Insurriaga, sister, Betty Ruth Clevidence, sisters- in-law, Delphene Gill Turner (Danny), Joanne Gill Bomer (Jimmy), and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lucille Marie Hall Wright and father, Benjamin Franklin Wright.
When you asked him how he was doing, he would always say “Pretty good for a teenager! He was ‘pretty good’ up until the end and was a tough Marine!
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: Marine Corps League #30 Windwood Loop - Conway, AR 72034 / Email: epssys@aol.com
Visitation with a Fallen Hero Ceremony will begin at 9:30am -10:30am Friday, October 14, 2016 at Roller McNutt Funeral Home Conway, Arkansas. Graveside Service and Burial will follow at 11:00am at Oak Grove Cemetery Conway, Arkansas with Kevin McGee officiating.
Parents:
Benjamin Franklin Wright (1884 - 1965)
Martha Lucille Hall Wright (1898 - 1948)
Contributed on 3/16/17 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 1181005