Edwin E. Wright Jr.

Memorial services for E.E. "Ed" Wright, Jr., 86, of Gainesville, are set for 11:00 am Saturday, September 14, 2013 at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Mark Loewen officiating. A visitation is set for 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 13, 2013 at the funeral home. A private burial will take place in the Fairview Cemetery.

Ed was born on December 14, 1926 in San Angelo, Texas to E.E. Wright, Sr and Geneva Hodges Wright. He passed away on September 9, 2013 in Gainesville.

He attended undergraduate school at Texas Christian University receiving a Bachelor of Science in Commerce. World War II interrupted his graduation plans. He served honorably in the South Pacific, primarily on Okinawa. He was a navigator on B-29s and always had an excellent sense of direction. When he returned to TCU he lettered in football. He also met the love of his life, Ona Roberts. Ed and Ona were married over 64 years. Their marriage produced two children, Edwin E. Wright, III and David Roberts Wright. Ed then obtained a Masters in Business Administration from North Texas State University.

Using his degrees he managed Hesperian Savings for many years. He and his son, David, owned the Wright & Wright Insurance Agency and were partners for over 30 years.

Ed was extremely active in civil affairs. He was past President of the Kiwanis Club. Past President of the United Way. He received a Silver Beaver from the Big 10 Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was past president of the Gainesville Memorial Hospital Board. He was a charter member of Toast Masters. He helped found Dollars for Scholars for Cooke County Community College. He then served as President of the Foundation at North Texas Community College, raising more than $6.7 Million and awarding over $4 Million in scholarships. He and Ona also endowed five scholarships for NCTC. He also gave generously to the athletic program at TCU as well as University of Texas where his son, Ed Wright, attended undergraduate school on a track and field scholarship. He was an Elder in his church and taught Sunday school at the First Christian Church in Gainesville for 50 years.


He is survived by his son, Ed Wright, III and his wife Josie of Dallas; daughter-in-law Crystal Wright of Gainesville; grandchildren, Natalie Wright, Winn Wright and Victoria Wright; and sister Joy Craig of Fort Worth.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ona, and his son David.

Honorary pallbearers will be Edwin E. Wright IV, Michael Cavazos, J.C. Flowers, Larry Lewis, Doyle Roberts, and Glenn Thurman.