COL Dwayne P. Wright USAF, (Ret.)

Colonel Dwayne Penrose Wright, USAF Retired, 92, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2023, surrounded by his family. Dwayne was born on March 18, 1931 in Afton, Wyoming to Lyman and Vernessa (Penrose) Wright.

Dwayne lived a full, happy, and adventurous life. As a young teen/adult, he was both a jockey and a golden glove boxer. A man of many talents, indeed.

In 1951, Dwayne married the love of his life, LaRue. The two recently celebrated 72 years of marriage. Many friends and family explain that it has never been JUST Dwayne or LaRue. It has always been Dwayne AND LaRue. We are comforted in the reminder that families are together forever.

Dwayne received a BS degree in Geology and a minor in physics and math and later went on to receive his master’s degree in Public Administration from George Washington University.

Dwayne joined the United States Air Force in 1953 and spent 27 years of dedicated service as a fighter pilot and later retired as a Full Bird Colonel at Austin Bergstrom. Throughout his service, he flew over 250 combat missions, with 211 of those, in the F-100, during a one-year tour in Vietnam. Dwayne was highly decorated and received 27 medals and special honors, including a Purple Heart (1968) after being shot down into the China Sea. Serving in the United States Air Force was one of his greatest accomplishments and treasures of life.

Dwayne was a beloved member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was faithful to the end. His lay ministry and service in his church spanned many callings and assignments, including bishop and stake patriarch.

Dwayne was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and his daughter, Leslee Wright (2014).

He is survived by his sweetheart and wife of 72 years, LaRue, his daughter Lori Wright of Austin, and sons, Nathan (Carolyn) Wright of Austin and Daniel (Lori) Wright of McDade. In addition to his children, Dwayne leaves behind eight grandchildren; Eddy (Amanda) Mann, Geoffrey Wright, Jessica (Rino) Hernandez, Joe Knox, Caitlin (Rob) Bailey, Amanda Wright, Julia (Bryan) Mulholland & Jackson Bennett-Wright as well as eleven great-grandchildren (Landon, Levi, Ethan, Grayson, Sophia, Dwayne, Grace, Brenden, Audre, Vera and Sage) who loved him dearly and will all miss him tremendously.

The family would like to give a sincere thanks to the ICU nurses and doctors at Seton Medical who so respectfully cared for him in his final days.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Interstate 35, Pflugerville, Texas 78660. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., at The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1000 Rutherford Lane, Austin, Texas 78753.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for the Wright family.