Obituary of Carl L. Wright, Jr.

Carl L. Wright, Jr. was born February 10, 1924, the grandson of 1889 Land Run pioneer A.D. Wright who settled Chandler, Oklahoma. Carl graduated from Chandler High School in 1942, attended Kemper Military Academy and served in WWII under Patton’s Third Army. Wounded at the Bloody Moselle, Carl was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Following the war, childhood sweethearts Carl and Joyce Wornom married in 1947. They purchased a historic jail in Tincup, Colorado in 1948 and vacationed there for 67 years. Carl graduated with an MBA from the University of Oklahoma where he pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon. He enjoyed Sooner football and has held season tickets since 1955. Following graduation, Carl and Joyce moved to Enid and daughters, Ann and Marti were born. Carl sold insurance in Enid; then moved to Cushing as part owner of a trucking company. Their son, James was born. The family then moved to Guadalajara, Mexico in 1970 for two years. Always a traveler at heart, Carl and Joyce opened Horizons Unlimited Travel in Tulsa in 1975. They visited 235 countries, cruised 50+ ships and were members of Traveler’s Century Club and Circumnavigator Club. Carl was a proud member of the Rotary Club of Tulsa, Tulsa Executive Association [President 2004], and Tulsa Men’s Club. Carl passed on May 15, 2015 at home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Myrtle Wright of Chandler; sister, Rachel Lou Wright Dayvault of Wichita. Carl is survived by his wife Joyce; daughters and son-in-law, Ann Back, Marti and Ken Alexander; son, James Wright; grandsons, Zach Alexander, Adam Alexander and his wife, Sarah; and a great grandchild, Addison Alexander. Also surviving are his brother, Daniel Wright of El Paso, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Carl was buried in Chandler on May 20, 2015. A Memorial Service celebrating Carl’s life will be held 2:00 Friday, June 12 at Ninde Funeral Directors, Brookside Chapel. Donations may be made to World Wildlife Fund www.worldwildlife.org or Rotary Club of Tulsa www.tulsarotary.com.