George Everett Wright

George was born in Avery, Oklahoma on June 23, 1927 to Everett George Wright and Zella Loriane Ralston Wright. He was raised and educated in Chandler, Oklahoma and at the young age of 15, moved to California to work and help support his family in Oklahoma. George returned to Oklahoma for a short time and at 17 moved back to California to work in the dairy industry. On March 3, 1948 he married Bertha Mae Overacker in Visalia, California and to this union of 37 years, was born six children, Billy Ray, Carl Gene, Terry Lynn, Sharon Elaine, Glenn Allen and Darin Wayne. They made their home south of Farmersville for a short time and then moved to Exeter, California where George worked for Cal Hansen on his ranch, farming cotton, peaches, plums and grapes.

In December 1968, George and Bertha Mae moved their family to Tulare where George became a partner in Dairy Construction, Inc. with Melvin Rossiter. From 1968 to 1979 the company built dairy barns throughout California and in Arizona. In 1979 he left the company and in 1983 he and his sons established Wright Construction.

In 1974 George was ordained an Elder at the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn in Tulare and served the congregation until his passing. He lived his life for the Lord and loved to speak of the goodness and blessings of God. George traveled to many congregations to hold meetings, visit the brethren and pray for the sick.

In 1980 George and Bertha Mae built their new home South of Tulare and shortly after Bertha Mae preceded him in death on March 6, 1984 following a brief illness. On November 20, 1984, George married Hazel Overacker in Las Vegas, Nevada and they celebrated 26 years of marriage.

As a young man George enjoyed hunting. Later in life he enjoyed his horses, which he trained to pull the wagon and won many awards and trophies. He loved to get the wagon out to give rides to his family and friends during gatherings at their home.

George loved times spent with his family – brothers, sisters, children and especially his grandchildren. He always tried to be present at their sports activities and functions.

Family gatherings were always anxiously awaited and many memories were made with lots of family and friends and food. He loved homemade ice cream of any kind and an undercooked BBQ’d hamburger.

George was loved and respected by all and left a legacy like no other. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his sister Mildred Ann, a baby sister, his sister Doris Verne, his father, Everett in 1964, his mother Zella in 1992, his son Billy Ray in 1998, his brother Marion and wife Leota, his brother –in-law, Everett Sikes, his sister, Nora Overacker, his brother, Louis and wife, Myrtle.

George leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Hazel of Tulare and her children, Alfred and Joyce Overacker, David Overacker and Sandy Watson; his children, Gene Wright and wife, Cora of Grand Junction, CO, Terry Wright and wife, Rhonda of Tulare, Sharon Kasten and husband, Ken of Delta, CO, Glenn Wright and wife, Vanessa of Tulare and Darin Wright and wife, Michelle of Tulare; his eleven grandchildren, Melanie Gutierrez and husband, Robert and their children, Jennifer and Rex, Toni Ratliff and husband, Karl, Thomas Wright, Brandon Wright and wife, Amy and their daughter, Raygan, Travis Wright, Kevin Kasten, Bradley Wright and wife, Gina and their son, Cole, Tyler Wright and wife, Tiffany and their son, Kade, Matt Kasten, Zachary Wright and Darius Wright, numerous nieces, nephews friends, extended family and his church family.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 from 3 – 8 p.m. at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue in Visalia. Celebration of Life Services will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, 1076 W. Gail Street in Tulare, CA. Burial will follow at the Tulare Cemetery, 900 E Kern Street in Tulare, CA.

Condolences may be offered at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in George’s name to the Church of the Firstborn, 1076 W. Gail, Tulare, CA 93274 or Optimal Hospice, 6760 N. West Avenue, Ste 103, Fresno, CA 93711

Arrangements are entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA 93291 (5590 732-8371.