Arnold Wright
August 3, 1936 — May 1, 2017
Arnold Wright
Arnold Allen Wright, Sr., 80, passed peacefully surrounded by his family in Bryant, Arkansas at Saline Memorial Hospice on May 1, 2017. He was born on August 3, 1936 in Bauxite, Arkansas to Tom T. and Oscola Blacklock Wright.
Arnold's beautiful life will forever be cherished by the lives of his wife, Mary Frances Wright; two children: Allen Wright, Jr. and wife Jerri and Tamie Thomas and husband Michael; five grandchildren, Zack Thomas and wife Carrie, Tabitha Tran and husband Danny, Shane Thomas, Hollie Wright, Natalie Wright; great-grandchild, Hoytt Thomas; brother, Tommy Wright; sisters Pat Stuckey, Susie Wright, Lois Howard, and Mary Faye Grant.
He is in heaven with his brothers, Paul Wright, Edward Wright, Gene Wright, Charles Wright, and Sonny Grant; and sisters Ottis Woods and Pauline McGee.
A veteran of the Vietnam War, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan in 1956. Arnold was a brave and loyal soldier in the field and in his life. He was a patient and loving father and grandfather. He married Mary Frances Wright in 1958 in Waco, Texas. Naturally inquisitive and a historian at heart, Arnold served his military and country again by publishing My Country Called, Out of the Blue, Stormy Weather, Guest of the REICH, and Behind the Wire Stalag Luft III South Compound in which he was awarded Lt. General Albert P. Clark Award for excellence-In Recognition for Significant Research and Outstanding Contributions Relating to the History of Stalag Luft III. He was also awarded a certificate from the Director of the POW Camps Museum of Zagan, Poland. His work provided comfort for many families seeking information about the status of their loved ones, have been shared all over the world even today. These books were instrumental in helping identify World War II veterans and helping them receive their medals of honor. Arnold Wright's transcriptions are available in the Air Force Academy's library in Colorado Springs.
After years of dedicated service to the Bauxite community, Arnold Wright was honored by the Bauxite Museum of History with the Arnold Wright Hall exhibit, highlighting his contribution to Bauxite and his work nationwide.
He was a member of Sharon Baptist Church and retired from Shelter Insurance after 34 years of service. Arnold was the first Code Enforcer for the City of Benton where he served his community for 8 years.
Reception visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM, Thursday, May 4, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market Street. Funeral service, officiated by Dr. Rick Grant, will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, May 5 at Smith-Benton Funeral Home.
Special thanks to Saline Memorial Hospice for making his final days so special.
Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home, a certified Veterans Funeral Care provider. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015
322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015
Arnold's beautiful life will forever be cherished by the lives of his wife, Mary Frances Wright; two children: Allen Wright, Jr. and wife Jerri and Tamie Thomas and husband Michael; five grandchildren, Zack Thomas and wife Carrie, Tabitha Tran and husband Danny, Shane Thomas, Hollie Wright, Natalie Wright; great-grandchild, Hoytt Thomas; brother, Tommy Wright; sisters Pat Stuckey, Susie Wright, Lois Howard, and Mary Faye Grant.
He is in heaven with his brothers, Paul Wright, Edward Wright, Gene Wright, Charles Wright, and Sonny Grant; and sisters Ottis Woods and Pauline McGee.
A veteran of the Vietnam War, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan in 1956. Arnold was a brave and loyal soldier in the field and in his life. He was a patient and loving father and grandfather. He married Mary Frances Wright in 1958 in Waco, Texas. Naturally inquisitive and a historian at heart, Arnold served his military and country again by publishing My Country Called, Out of the Blue, Stormy Weather, Guest of the REICH, and Behind the Wire Stalag Luft III South Compound in which he was awarded Lt. General Albert P. Clark Award for excellence-In Recognition for Significant Research and Outstanding Contributions Relating to the History of Stalag Luft III. He was also awarded a certificate from the Director of the POW Camps Museum of Zagan, Poland. His work provided comfort for many families seeking information about the status of their loved ones, have been shared all over the world even today. These books were instrumental in helping identify World War II veterans and helping them receive their medals of honor. Arnold Wright's transcriptions are available in the Air Force Academy's library in Colorado Springs.
After years of dedicated service to the Bauxite community, Arnold Wright was honored by the Bauxite Museum of History with the Arnold Wright Hall exhibit, highlighting his contribution to Bauxite and his work nationwide.
He was a member of Sharon Baptist Church and retired from Shelter Insurance after 34 years of service. Arnold was the first Code Enforcer for the City of Benton where he served his community for 8 years.
Reception visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM, Thursday, May 4, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market Street. Funeral service, officiated by Dr. Rick Grant, will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, May 5 at Smith-Benton Funeral Home.
Special thanks to Saline Memorial Hospice for making his final days so special.
Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home, a certified Veterans Funeral Care provider. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Reception Visitation
MAY 4. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (CDT)
Smith - Benton Funeral Home322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015
Funeral Service
MAY 5. 10:00 AM (CDT)
Smith - Benton Funeral Home322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Arnold Wright, please visit our flower store.
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