Obituaries: Eldon J. ‘Jim’ Wright Sr.

Published 5:00 pm Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Eldon J. “Jim” Wright Sr., 68, of Gearhart, died Tuesday, May 12, 2009, in Kelso, Wash.

He was born Feb. 4, 1941, in Sidney, Mont., to Eldon Wright and Marian Wright Fackerell. His mother survives, living in Longview, Wash. His father preceded him in death in 1946. His stepfather, Edward Fackerell, also preceded him in death.

Mr. Wright was a member of the Seaside High School Class of 1959.

He served in the 101st Airborne in the U.S. Army.

On Feb. 5, 1962, he married Diana M. Taylor in Warrenton. She preceded him in death Dec. 8, 2008, after 46 years of marriage.

Mr. Wright was a diesel mechanic, welder and crane operator, and director of the Clatsop County Soil and Water District No. 1 for 20 years. He was also an Astoria firefighter.

He was a member of Evergreen Masonic Lodge, Order of Eastern Star, Scottish Rite and also a member and past master of the Knights Templar of Oregon.

Family members said his hobbies included hunting, camping, clam digging and morning coffee at Holladay Drug.

He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Eldon J. Wright Jr. and his wife, Kim, of Seaside and Gregory J. and Julie Wright of Kelso; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Ron and Carol Wright and Bill Fackerell, all of Gearhart; eight grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Merlyn Wright.

A memorial will be held at 1 p.m. May 30 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Seaside.

Private inurnment will take place at Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lower Columbia Hospice or the American Cancer Society, in care of Hughes-Ransom Cremation & Mortuaries, 220 N. Holladay Drive, Seaside, OR 97138.