J. R. Wright

On Tuesday, May 26, 2015, J. R. Wright, age 77, succumbed to complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at home in Nacogdoches, TX. His funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 30, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Nacogdoches. The Rev. Jeff McDonald will be officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, May 29, 2015 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home in Nacogdoches.

J. R. was born in Tyler on June 17, 1937 to Levis Wright and Verdie Stamps Wright. A lifelong Texas resident, he grew up in Wright City and lived in Kilgore, working in the East Texas oil fields during summers to earn money for college. He attended Kilgore Junior College and then earned a bachelor’s degree in History and English from Stephen F. Austin State University. He graduated with a master’s degree in Education and History from Sam Houston State University, as well as completed a postgraduate counseling program. Afterwards, J. R. taught History in Jasper and was also a high school counselor in Garland. In 1967, he moved to Nacogdoches to take a job at SFASU as an admissions officer. J.R. loved visiting high schools throughout Texas and telling students and their parents about SFASU He retired in 1995.

During his senior year at SFASU he met his future wife, Paulette Darcy. He and Paulette married after she graduated in 1961. On June 24, 2015 they would have celebrated 54 years of marriage. They had one daughter, Wendy Michelle. J. R. loved fishing, woodworking, photography, and traveling. He and Paulette took many cruises, visiting over 40 countries and had only five more states in the U.S. to complete the 50.

J. R. is survived by his wife, Paulette, their daughter, Wendy Michelle Wright of Austin, his brother, Charles Edwin Wright and his wife, MaryEtta of Longview, and sister-in-laws Jean Frankie of Richmond, Judi Phillips of Corpus Christi, and Denise Phillips of College Station. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Milton Roy Wright.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Life Care Health Services for their support during J. R.’s eighteen month illness. Special thanks to Shaneeta Rhodes for her loving care.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a memorial to CASA of Deep East Texas, P.O. Box 635252, Nacogdoches, TX 75963-5252; to First United Methodist Church, 201 E. Hospital, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961, or to Austin Pets Alive, 1156 West Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78703.

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