Gilbert "Gib" Harold Wright

Gilbert Harold “Gib” Wright was born November 18th, 1930 in Avery, Oklahoma to Everett and Zella Wright. He was one of 14 children and spent the first 15 years of his life in Oklahoma where he helped his father farm and always said this was where he learned it was better to ride a horse than to walk behind it with a plow. (He didn’t really like riding much either.)

The family moved to the Tulare County area in 1945 and he accepted Jesus as his Savior with the act of baptism performed by Brother Dow Overacker, into the Church of the First Born on July 1, 1948 in a joint ceremony with his brother George.

Gib served his country honorably from 1952-1954 as a member of the United States Marine Corp. After active duty, reserve service continued for 6 years.

After military service he returned to the Tulare area, working as a welder and in the building trades, sharpening skills in many areas of construction.

Married life began on April 15th, 1954, when he married Thelma Smith in Reno, Nevada. To this union 5 children were born. One son “baby boy” was born in 1955, son Doug, twins Lloyd and Loretta and daughter Regina. Gib and Thelma enjoyed 32 years before her passing on March 27th, 1986.

Gib was blessed again in 1987 when he met and married Della Mae Corter (Taylor) on January 8th, 1987in Tulare, CA. This January they celebrated 25 years of marriage. During their time together they enjoyed travel and special times with all of their children and their families.

Gib’s greatest joys were his time spent worshiping his Lord, time spent with his family, gardening and special projects with his kids and grand kids and always giving of his time in the service of others.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Baby Boy Wright, daughter Loretta White on September 15, 2009 and his brothers Louis, Marion, George and Frank. Also preceding him were sisters Mildred, Nora, “Baby Girl” and Doris.

Gib leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Della of Tulare; his children, Doug and wife Renda of Pleasant View, Colorado, Lloyd and wife Sharon of Visalia, Regina Smith and husband Bruce of Exeter, son-in-law Les White of Tulare and wife Barbara; step-daughters Nancy Masterson of Tulare, Janice Todd of Tulare, Brenda Dyer and husband Ken of Tulare, and son-in-law Emory Todd of Tulare. He is also survived by his siblings, Raymond Wright of Oklahoma, Gerold Wright of Georgia, Mary Walker of Tulare, Marty Sikes of Visalia, and “Bud’ Wright of Oklahoma. Surviving their Grandpa Gib are 15 Grandchildren and 30 Great grandchildren.

Gib was a blessing to each of them and he will be loved and missed by all! Gib’s spirit lives on in each member of his special family and his dear friends. He can best be honored by acts of kindness and love carried on by one and all.

Visitation will be held at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 West Goshen Avenue, Visalia, California on Sunday June 17th from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be at the General Assembly and Church of the First Born, 1076 West Gail Avenue, Tulare, California on Monday June 18th, 2012 at 10:00 am. Final resting place will be Tulare Cemetery, 900 East Kern, Tulare, California.

Condolences may be offered at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com

Donations and remembrances may be made to the Church of the First Born, 1076 West Gail, Tulare, California. 93274

Arrangements entrusted to People’s Funeral Chapel, 501 N. Douty St., Hanford, CA 93230 (559) 584-5591