Thomas Wright, at the grandeur age of 84, appointed by God and escorted by the angels, was called home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 8, 2020, at Kobacker House Hospice Care Center, in the presence of his loving grandson and stepdaughter. Thomas was born September 30, 1935 on the plantation of Turner Jones in Sardis, Mississippi to parents, James and Henrietta Lee (Barksdale) Wright. In October 1942, during the Great Migration, the Wrights moved to Michigan City, Indiana. However, this would only be a pit stop, as James relocated his family to Chicago, Illinois in 1944. Spending his formative years there, Thomas attended Wells High School, and was a Chicagoan through and through. He never hesitated to recognize the Windy City as his hometown.
On November 16, 1954, upon the wise counsel of his brother, Thomas enlisted in the United States Air Force. Over the next two decades, Thomas would acquire tales of adventure; both of grim and gleam, from eclectic station assignments in San Antonio, Texas; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Wiesbaden & Frankfurt, Germany; Turkey; Tripoli, Libya; Marseilles, France; Columbus, Mississippi; Spain; Marquette, Michigan; Manila, Philippines; Da Nang, Vietnam; and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His last assignment was to RAF Alconbury in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England, where Thomas was stationed alongside his family from July 1971 until 1974. On April 1, 1975, with 20 years, 4 months, and 15 days of honorable service to his country, Thomas retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant from Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Lockbourne, Ohio. Serving in the military was Thomas’ proudest accomplishment, which he surmised on many occasions as “the best decision” he ever made.
In 1959, Thomas was stationed at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, Mississippi when upon the wherewithal of a persistent friend; he partook in a blind date with a beautiful woman named Rosie Louise Harris. The two would unite through the Holy sacrament of marriage on March 31, 1961 in Vernon, Alabama. Thomas instantly became a father to three precious daughters. Over the next decade, Thomas and Rosie would welcome four more vivacious children. The family settled in Columbus, Ohio in November, 1966.
Never a man of leisure, after his retirement from the Air Force, Thomas enrolled at the former Columbus Technical Institute (now Columbus State Community College), where he graduated with a degree in criminal justice in 1981. With that, Thomas gained employment as a corrections officer at the Franklin County Correctional Center, where he retired after 16 years. Turning to his premiere life’s passion of education, Thomas began a third career as an elementary school teacher at Southeast Christian Academy, where he retired after nine years of employment.
In post-retirement, Thomas never let his hands become idle, as he employed his time in various community and civic capacities, as well as through hobbies such as golf, in which he was an astute player. He held a longstanding position as a Precinct Election Official for the Franklin County Board of Elections for two decades, never missing an election or primary day until his withdrawal from that position on November 5, 2019. As well, for the better half of 20 years, Thomas devoted his Saturday nights to being a mentor and guide for Cocaine Anonymous, helping the transformation of many recovering addicts back into normative sober society. During this time, Thomas met Debra Jean Lambert. The two were married on June 7, 2005.
In 1947, at the age of 12, Thomas gave his life to Christ on the mourners’ bench of Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Sardis, under the escort of his sister. In Columbus, Thomas and his family united with Friendship Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. G. Thomas Turner. In 1999, Thomas united with Christ Memorial Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of The Rev. Shedrick L. Fowler, where Thomas served faithfully until his death.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Willie (Thelma) Ballentine, Clennon O’Block and James Monroe Wright; sisters, Annie Mae (Robert) Palmer and Henrietta Tools; and wife, Rosie L. Wright. He is survived by his wife, Debra Lambert-Wright; children, Jacqueline Howard, Christopher (Geria) Wright, Sr., Valencia (Marvin, Sr.) Robertson, and Donzaleigh (James) Hooks; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; step-daughters, Earlene Harris of Columbus, MS, Binica Harris of Jackson, MS, Claudia Harris of East Saint Louis, IL, Chasity Lambert of Inglewood, CA, and Simone Lambert of Columbus; 9 step-grandchildren; 9 step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Rosie Mae Gassion of Gary, IN., and Catherine Morris of Terre Haute, IN; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends; including his brothers in Shriners International, of which he was of the 32nd Degree, Prince Hall F&AM, Order of the Eastern Star; and his Christ Memorial family.
On November 16, 1954, upon the wise counsel of his brother, Thomas enlisted in the United States Air Force. Over the next two decades, Thomas would acquire tales of adventure; both of grim and gleam, from eclectic station assignments in San Antonio, Texas; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Wiesbaden & Frankfurt, Germany; Turkey; Tripoli, Libya; Marseilles, France; Columbus, Mississippi; Spain; Marquette, Michigan; Manila, Philippines; Da Nang, Vietnam; and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His last assignment was to RAF Alconbury in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England, where Thomas was stationed alongside his family from July 1971 until 1974. On April 1, 1975, with 20 years, 4 months, and 15 days of honorable service to his country, Thomas retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant from Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Lockbourne, Ohio. Serving in the military was Thomas’ proudest accomplishment, which he surmised on many occasions as “the best decision” he ever made.
In 1959, Thomas was stationed at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, Mississippi when upon the wherewithal of a persistent friend; he partook in a blind date with a beautiful woman named Rosie Louise Harris. The two would unite through the Holy sacrament of marriage on March 31, 1961 in Vernon, Alabama. Thomas instantly became a father to three precious daughters. Over the next decade, Thomas and Rosie would welcome four more vivacious children. The family settled in Columbus, Ohio in November, 1966.
Never a man of leisure, after his retirement from the Air Force, Thomas enrolled at the former Columbus Technical Institute (now Columbus State Community College), where he graduated with a degree in criminal justice in 1981. With that, Thomas gained employment as a corrections officer at the Franklin County Correctional Center, where he retired after 16 years. Turning to his premiere life’s passion of education, Thomas began a third career as an elementary school teacher at Southeast Christian Academy, where he retired after nine years of employment.
In post-retirement, Thomas never let his hands become idle, as he employed his time in various community and civic capacities, as well as through hobbies such as golf, in which he was an astute player. He held a longstanding position as a Precinct Election Official for the Franklin County Board of Elections for two decades, never missing an election or primary day until his withdrawal from that position on November 5, 2019. As well, for the better half of 20 years, Thomas devoted his Saturday nights to being a mentor and guide for Cocaine Anonymous, helping the transformation of many recovering addicts back into normative sober society. During this time, Thomas met Debra Jean Lambert. The two were married on June 7, 2005.
In 1947, at the age of 12, Thomas gave his life to Christ on the mourners’ bench of Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Sardis, under the escort of his sister. In Columbus, Thomas and his family united with Friendship Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. G. Thomas Turner. In 1999, Thomas united with Christ Memorial Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of The Rev. Shedrick L. Fowler, where Thomas served faithfully until his death.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Willie (Thelma) Ballentine, Clennon O’Block and James Monroe Wright; sisters, Annie Mae (Robert) Palmer and Henrietta Tools; and wife, Rosie L. Wright. He is survived by his wife, Debra Lambert-Wright; children, Jacqueline Howard, Christopher (Geria) Wright, Sr., Valencia (Marvin, Sr.) Robertson, and Donzaleigh (James) Hooks; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; step-daughters, Earlene Harris of Columbus, MS, Binica Harris of Jackson, MS, Claudia Harris of East Saint Louis, IL, Chasity Lambert of Inglewood, CA, and Simone Lambert of Columbus; 9 step-grandchildren; 9 step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Rosie Mae Gassion of Gary, IN., and Catherine Morris of Terre Haute, IN; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends; including his brothers in Shriners International, of which he was of the 32nd Degree, Prince Hall F&AM, Order of the Eastern Star; and his Christ Memorial family.
Thomas Wright, at the grandeur age of 84, appointed by God and escorted by the angels, was called home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 8, 2020, at Kobacker House Hospice Care Center, in the presence of his loving grandson and stepdaughter. Thomas was born September 30, 1935 on the plantation of Turner Jones in Sardis, Mississippi to parents, James and Henrietta Lee (Barksdale) Wright. In October 1942, during the Great Migration, the Wrights moved to Michigan City, Indiana. However, this would only be a pit stop, as James relocated his family to Chicago, Illinois in 1944. Spending his formative years there, Thomas attended Wells High School, and was a Chicagoan through and through. He never hesitated to recognize the Windy City as his hometown.
On November 16, 1954, upon the wise counsel of his brother, Thomas enlisted in the United States Air Force. Over the next two decades, Thomas would acquire tales of adventure; both of grim and gleam, from eclectic station assignments in San Antonio, Texas; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Wiesbaden & Frankfurt, Germany; Turkey; Tripoli, Libya; Marseilles, France; Columbus, Mississippi; Spain; Marquette, Michigan; Manila, Philippines; Da Nang, Vietnam; and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His last assignment was to RAF Alconbury in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England, where Thomas was stationed alongside his family from July 1971 until 1974. On April 1, 1975, with 20 years, 4 months, and 15 days of honorable service to his country, Thomas retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant from Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Lockbourne, Ohio. Serving in the military was Thomas’ proudest accomplishment, which he surmised on many occasions as “the best decision” he ever made.
In 1959, Thomas was stationed at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, Mississippi when upon the wherewithal of a persistent friend; he partook in a blind date with a beautiful woman named Rosie Louise Harris. The two would unite through the Holy sacrament of marriage on March 31, 1961 in Vernon, Alabama. Thomas instantly became a father to three precious daughters. Over the next decade, Thomas and Rosie would welcome four more vivacious children. The family settled in Columbus, Ohio in November, 1966.
Never a man of leisure, after his retirement from the Air Force, Thomas enrolled at the former Columbus Technical Institute (now Columbus State Community College), where he graduated with a degree in criminal justice in 1981. With that, Thomas gained employment as a corrections officer at the Franklin County Correctional Center, where he retired after 16 years. Turning to his premiere life’s passion of education, Thomas began a third career as an elementary school teacher at Southeast Christian Academy, where he retired after nine years of employment.
In post-retirement, Thomas never let his hands become idle, as he employed his time in various community and civic capacities, as well as through hobbies such as golf, in which he was an astute player. He held a longstanding position as a Precinct Election Official for the Franklin County Board of Elections for two decades, never missing an election or primary day until his withdrawal from that position on November 5, 2019. As well, for the better half of 20 years, Thomas devoted his Saturday nights to being a mentor and guide for Cocaine Anonymous, helping the transformation of many recovering addicts back into normative sober society. During this time, Thomas met Debra Jean Lambert. The two were married on June 7, 2005.
In 1947, at the age of 12, Thomas gave his life to Christ on the mourners’ bench of Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Sardis, under the escort of his sister. In Columbus, Thomas and his family united with Friendship Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. G. Thomas Turner. In 1999, Thomas united with Christ Memorial Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of The Rev. Shedrick L. Fowler, where Thomas served faithfully until his death.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Willie (Thelma) Ballentine, Clennon O’Block and James Monroe Wright; sisters, Annie Mae (Robert) Palmer and Henrietta Tools; and wife, Rosie L. Wright. He is survived by his wife, Debra Lambert-Wright; children, Jacqueline Howard, Christopher (Geria) Wright, Sr., Valencia (Marvin, Sr.) Robertson, and Donzaleigh (James) Hooks; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; step-daughters, Earlene Harris of Columbus, MS, Binica Harris of Jackson, MS, Claudia Harris of East Saint Louis, IL, Chasity Lambert of Inglewood, CA, and Simone Lambert of Columbus; 9 step-grandchildren; 9 step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Rosie Mae Gassion of Gary, IN., and Catherine Morris of Terre Haute, IN; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends; including his brothers in Shriners International, of which he was of the 32nd Degree, Prince Hall F&AM, Order of the Eastern Star; and his Christ Memorial family.
On November 16, 1954, upon the wise counsel of his brother, Thomas enlisted in the United States Air Force. Over the next two decades, Thomas would acquire tales of adventure; both of grim and gleam, from eclectic station assignments in San Antonio, Texas; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Wiesbaden & Frankfurt, Germany; Turkey; Tripoli, Libya; Marseilles, France; Columbus, Mississippi; Spain; Marquette, Michigan; Manila, Philippines; Da Nang, Vietnam; and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His last assignment was to RAF Alconbury in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England, where Thomas was stationed alongside his family from July 1971 until 1974. On April 1, 1975, with 20 years, 4 months, and 15 days of honorable service to his country, Thomas retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant from Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Lockbourne, Ohio. Serving in the military was Thomas’ proudest accomplishment, which he surmised on many occasions as “the best decision” he ever made.
In 1959, Thomas was stationed at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, Mississippi when upon the wherewithal of a persistent friend; he partook in a blind date with a beautiful woman named Rosie Louise Harris. The two would unite through the Holy sacrament of marriage on March 31, 1961 in Vernon, Alabama. Thomas instantly became a father to three precious daughters. Over the next decade, Thomas and Rosie would welcome four more vivacious children. The family settled in Columbus, Ohio in November, 1966.
Never a man of leisure, after his retirement from the Air Force, Thomas enrolled at the former Columbus Technical Institute (now Columbus State Community College), where he graduated with a degree in criminal justice in 1981. With that, Thomas gained employment as a corrections officer at the Franklin County Correctional Center, where he retired after 16 years. Turning to his premiere life’s passion of education, Thomas began a third career as an elementary school teacher at Southeast Christian Academy, where he retired after nine years of employment.
In post-retirement, Thomas never let his hands become idle, as he employed his time in various community and civic capacities, as well as through hobbies such as golf, in which he was an astute player. He held a longstanding position as a Precinct Election Official for the Franklin County Board of Elections for two decades, never missing an election or primary day until his withdrawal from that position on November 5, 2019. As well, for the better half of 20 years, Thomas devoted his Saturday nights to being a mentor and guide for Cocaine Anonymous, helping the transformation of many recovering addicts back into normative sober society. During this time, Thomas met Debra Jean Lambert. The two were married on June 7, 2005.
In 1947, at the age of 12, Thomas gave his life to Christ on the mourners’ bench of Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Sardis, under the escort of his sister. In Columbus, Thomas and his family united with Friendship Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. G. Thomas Turner. In 1999, Thomas united with Christ Memorial Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of The Rev. Shedrick L. Fowler, where Thomas served faithfully until his death.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Willie (Thelma) Ballentine, Clennon O’Block and James Monroe Wright; sisters, Annie Mae (Robert) Palmer and Henrietta Tools; and wife, Rosie L. Wright. He is survived by his wife, Debra Lambert-Wright; children, Jacqueline Howard, Christopher (Geria) Wright, Sr., Valencia (Marvin, Sr.) Robertson, and Donzaleigh (James) Hooks; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; step-daughters, Earlene Harris of Columbus, MS, Binica Harris of Jackson, MS, Claudia Harris of East Saint Louis, IL, Chasity Lambert of Inglewood, CA, and Simone Lambert of Columbus; 9 step-grandchildren; 9 step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Rosie Mae Gassion of Gary, IN., and Catherine Morris of Terre Haute, IN; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends; including his brothers in Shriners International, of which he was of the 32nd Degree, Prince Hall F&AM, Order of the Eastern Star; and his Christ Memorial family.
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