Eugene Darrell Wright (“Gene”) passed away peacefully on July 20, 2021 in Yuma, AZ. Gene was born June 13, 1930 at home in Washtucna, WA to Gertrude and Charles Wright. Gene grew up along the Snake River Junction and attended the one room Star School House, then later Pasco High School. After graduating from Pasco High in 1948, Gene joined the US Navy. While in the Navy and anchored in New York City he met the love of his life, Frances Giorgianni. He and Frances were married in September 1952 and raised 3 children together in Pasco, WA. They adopted son Gregory in 1960 and daughter Kathy in 1963 (thank you!), before giving birth to daughter Jennifer in 1972. They were married for 53 years when Frances passed away in May 2006.
After the Navy, Gene joined his father working for the railroad. He retired from Burlington Northern Santa Fe in 1992. Gene was a longtime active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Pasco, the Moose Lodge and Knights of Columbus. He was also a proud member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Gene loved his time with his family, grandchildren, and friends. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, working in his garden and playing cards. He cherished his many years in Pasco, but especially loved retirement in Yuma, AZ and the warm winters there with friends. He and Frances moved to Yuma full time in 2004 and that became his new home.
Gene is survived by younger brother Dennis (wife Elizabeth) in Dayton, WA; son Gregory (wife Susan) in Olympia, WA, granddaughter Sarah (husband Colin McElroy) and great grandson Griffin, in Shoreline, WA, and grandson Paul in Seattle, WA; daughter Kathy and granddaughter Chloe in Portland, OR; daughter Jennifer (husband Greg Sullivan), granddaughters Carina (husband Kane Kelley), Marisa, and Angela in Pasco, WA. He will especially be missed by special companion of the last 13 years, Floretta “Freddie” Ness of Yuma, AZ.
Gene was preceded in death by his wife Frances, a baby brother that died at birth, his mother Gertrude, father Charles, sister Charline Mann, and brother Jerry.
Gene’s ashes will be interned with his wife Frances in Pasco, WA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Chaplains Association for Public Safety – Thurston County (Olympia WA), CAPS-TC. CAPS-TC cares for firefighters, police officers and the people they serve. Gene’s son Greg (retired city of Olympia Fire Chief) is a founding board member of this charity.
Memorials can be made to Chaplains Association for Public Safety – Thurston County (https://www.caps-tc.org/).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.funerariadelangelyuma.com for the Wright family.
