Henry Wright

Born on June 7, 1915, in Blakely Georgia, to the union of Henry Wright and Bertha Hutchins Wright, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2012, at the Veteran’s Administration Northern California Hospital, in Martinez, California.

He was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife Minette Wright of 66 years, sisters Lucye Wright and Naomie Wright.

He is survived, and his memory will be cherished, by son Henry Horn (Janette), four grandchildren, Michelle, Rochelle, Marlon, and Mark, one great-grandchild, Markiesha; nieces Theresa Mackey Barnes and Sandra Johnson, great-nephew Gerald Mackey and great-niece Renee Harris; Grandnephews’ and grandnieces, Roderick Horn, Chief Jimmie Gardner, Agent Tyrone Gardner (Eartha), Steve Gardner, Deputy Anthony Gardner (Meka), Mildred Horn, Wildred Simmons, Jeanette Sanderson, Debbie Gardner, Marcellette Gardner, and other relatives and friends too numerous to name.

Biography and Genealogy:

In Jacksonville, Florida, in 1934, at the age of 18 Henry enlisted in the United States Navy. He earned his Navy Training Course Certification on the 31st day of July 1935. Thereafter, he and other shipmates survived two torpedo hits and ship destruction by enemy fire. Henry gave 10 years of continuous service to the U.S. Navy.

While in the U.S. Navy Henry met Minnie Lee Vason in Mobile, Alabama and soon wed on the tenth day of February 1940, in the city of Santa Ana, California. After living in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, they purchased a home in Oakland, California

After retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1945, beginning in 1951, Henry joined the Military Sea Transportation Service. There he was trained as a cook and baker. Soon to become Chief Baker, he served on numerous military vassals, including the USS Pope, USS Brewster, USNS Range Tracker, General Daniel I Sultan, USNS Upshur, USS Mispillion, and the USS Aeolus. He was a member of the Seafarers Union and the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars. Henry retired in 1976 from the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command.

Henry Wright was the 3rd. generation of Wrights, the son of Henry Grady Wright, and grandson to Jack Wright who was born May 1866 in North Carolina and died in Blakely GA. Henry’s Grandfather Jack Wright made substantial contributions to form the 1st school of Blacks in Blakely, GA, in March 20, 1915, named Jack Wright Elementary.

A Visitation will be held at Mount Vernon Memorial Park, 8201 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks on Thursday, March 1, 2012 from 9-11:00am Funeral Service at 11:00am. Interment Service with full military honors held will follow at Sacramento National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Rd., Dixon at 1:30pm.

Arrangements entrusted to Mount Vernon Memorial Park & Mortuary, Fair Oaks, CA.