Paul Wright,

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings."

The United States of America lost a valiant war hero on February 16, 2011 when Colonel Paul James Wright, Jr. (USAF Ret.) passed away in Beebe, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul James Wright, Sr. and Eunice Cochran Wright of Alabama. His only sister, Frances Elizabeth Varnon of Huntsville, Al., preceded her little brother in death a year to the date of his passing.

Born January 21, 1933 in Dawson, Al., Paul (Buddy) had resided in Beebe, Ar. for many years. He was well known in his adopted hometown and especially enjoyed his association with the local baseball team.

One day he's plowing a field with a mule watching a plane fly overhead and the next day he's flying a plane himself, having become a decorated fighter pilot for the United States Air Force. He eventually served 3 tours in Vietnam and Thailand and was shot down four times, twice in the O-1 Bird Dog, once ejecting in the AT-37 Dragonfly, and ejecting another time in an EB-66. He ended up being shot down over North Vietnam near Hanoi. After ejecting with his copilot, they spent the night in a tree before being rescued. "The longest year of my life" as he described it.

While Director of Operations at Laredo Air Force Base, Tx in the early 70's, the mayor of Laredo dedicated a day to honor him for being awarded the Silver Star; "Paul Wright Day."

Col. Wright was awarded the 3rd highest military award, the Silver Star, designated solely for heroism in combat, as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, a number of Air Medals, the AF Commendation Medal and the Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal. He was an Honorary Air Cav member as well as a proud Red River Valley Fighter Pilot (River Rats). He earned full bird Colonel with only a high school education and no professional military schooling.

Paul is survived by his children, James Michael Wright and wife Linda, San Antonio, TX, Steven Paul Wright, San Antonio, TX, Shawn Wright Langford and husband Eddie, Bulverde, TX, Lisa Wright Reddam, New Braunfels, TX, and Debbie Wright Swisher and husband James, Grey Forest, TX. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Joshua Langford, SSgt. Jesse Reddam, USAF, Cassie Reddam, 1 Lt.Daniel Wright, USAF, Cadet Matthew Wright, USMC, Cadet Rachel Wright, Tx A&M, and Damon Swisher. He has one great grandchild, Jesse P. Reddam. He is also survived by his former wife, Lily Salinas Wright with whom he remained good friends, as well as niece Janet Varnon Patty & family, Athens, Al. and nephews Tom Varnon & family, Huntsville, Al. and Jeff Varnon & family, Knoxville, Tn.

The family wishes to extend their most heartfelt gratitude to Tom and Rosa Allen and sons for their devoted friendship over the years.

Visitation will be at the Westbrook Funeral Home in Beebe, Arkansas, on Sunday, February 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Full military honors will be provided at his gravesite service and burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas on Feb. 25, at 9:45 AM.