Gene Arthur (Art) Wright, 85, passed away May 4, 2013 at his home in Darrington, WA. He was born on September 27, 1927 to Roe and Hattie Wright. It was during the depression and his family lived with their Grandparents on the Pleasant Valley Farm in Ferndale, WA. Art moved to Darrington as a teenager and graduated from Darrington High School in 1945. In 1951 he married Esther Hansen of Seattle who he met through mutual friends in the logging industry. Esther was the love of his life. They were true soul mates and lived a very dynamic life together. They celebrated 60 Years of marriage just prior to Esther’s death in 2011.
Art joined the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marines in 1946. He later served as an MP in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1950-1952 and was honorably discharged. He was very proud of his military service and attended bi-annual reunions in Oklahoma with his 45th Infantry Military Police Unit. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 76 in Arlington and the Everett Elks Lodge #479 in Everett. In addition to his service to our Country, he believed in service to the community. He was a charter member of the Darrington Volunteer Fire Department, helped build the Darrington Community Center, worked tirelessly on the Timberbowl Festivals and served on the Darrington School Board for 24 years.
Art was a log truck driver in his early career. He drove for Jones & Anderson before and after his service in Korea. In 1964 he, his brothers and his dad formed a logging company, Wright & Sons, Inc. where he continued as a truck driver. In 1969, Art started Washington Trucking, Inc. with his brother, Floyd. While Floyd continued in the logging business, Art guided the new trucking business. It was his vision, dedication, and hard work that grew the company from a one truck operation (and he was the driver) to a substantial sized fleet. Art was a member and past president of the Washington Trucking Associations and the Log Truckers Conference.
Family and fun was a big part of his life. Fishing and pheasant hunting were some of his favorite hobbies. He and Esther would pile all four kids into the Country Squire station wagon and pull the smallest travel trailers ever made all over the place. It was cozy, cramped and a blast. A favorite destination was fishing in the small, hidden lakes in British Columbia. The yearly trip to Loon Lake with his sons and grandsons was a tradition the last several years. Art and Esther also spent many years as Snowbirds and made many lasting friendships.
He is survived by his twin sister, Arliss; son, Thomas; daughter, Heidi (Tracy); son, Kris (Robin) grandchildren, Brynne (Mike), Matthew, Taylor, Hailey, Brady, Natalie, Jesse and Tanner and Great Grandchildren, Alexus and Karter. He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther; his son, Artie; his sister, Pearl and his brothers, Tom and Floyd.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 1:00 pm at Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church in Darrington. A Reception will be held immediately following in the Fellowship Hall next to the church hosted by the Darrington Community Dinner Committee.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following organizations: The Darrington High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, the Darrington Community Dinners Fund or the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Darrington.
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