On November 26, 1918, Roy Wright and Dovie Bible became the parents of a baby boy naming him Elmer Oran Wright. The second of two children which also included a sister, Carrie Lee. Together they grew up in Waco, Texas, the home of their birth place. Both his parents and sister, preceded him in death.
Elmer spent his early years in Waco, Texas but later moved to Dallas, Texas spending his elementary years at J.P. Starks Schools and High School at Booker T. Washington, graduating in the 1930’s. His education was interrupted by his enrollment in Civil Conservationists (CC) Camp to help with providing care for his sister and mother. By this time he was a young man seeking a change. He was drafted into the Army to serve during World War II. He spent a short time before he earned an honorable discharge. Seeking employment he moved to the state of Washington to work in the shipyards.
It was during his visit home to check on his family, he became a member of the Adventist Church family spending time in Dallas before going on to New York City. He faithfully worked in the church. He especially enjoyed serving as an usher.
It was there he took advantage of the GI bill to continue his formal education. In the 1940’s he rekindled the friendship with high school friends.
On April 10, 1966, he married Thomasine Longware and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he became employed at Weir Cook Airport, later renamed Indianapolis International Airport.
He has spent forty-six years traveling and enjoying the best of life. His dogs were the love of his life through many years. He called his German Shepherds his children. One of the saddest occurances in his life came when he could no longer have his beloved dogs.
His health just began to fail about a year ago due to a stroke. His last hospitalization lasted about seven days due to a stroke. When he passed he slept away quietly with his loving family by his side. Mr. Elmer Oran Wright departed this life on Thursday, January 17, 2013.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Thomasine; his sister-in-law, Lizzie Mae Strange; niece, Carmelita Richardson of Indianapolis, Indiana; other niece, Sharon Strange of Washington, D.C.; great nieces, Jasmine Strange of Orlando, Florida; nephew, Sherman (Jacky) Strange of Indianapolis, Indiana; a host of cousins, Leo (Sarah) of Los Angeles, California, William Gore of Waco, Texas, Billy of Riverside, California, Sandra Gail Robinson of Dallas, Texas, Dorothy Black of Dallas, Texas, Essie Perkins of Houston, Texas, Robbie J. Rhodes (Ulysses) of Washington, D.C., family friends, Irene Bowden of Atlanta, Georgia, Doris Hill of Atlanta, Georgia, Geneva Mosby, Ph,D, of Atlanta, Georgia, Virginia Gibson of New York, Janet Nunley of Detroit, Michigan and Deloris and Charles Woods of Berrien Springs.
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