Obit: Wright, George C. (1940 – 2011)
Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Wright, Wathke, Terrell, Goldbeck, Finnigan, Byers, Storkel, Modjeski, Byers

Source: Tomah Wisconsin Journal, Tomah, Wisconsin, 24 Mar 2011

George Wright (29 Apr 1940 – 23 Mar 2011

George C. Wright Jr., 70, of Tomah, died Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at his home. He was born April 29, 1940, to George C. and Elvera L. (Wathke) Wright Sr. at Eau Claire. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. He was united in marriage to Lorraine Terrell June 4, 1960, at Humbird, Wisconsin. George entered the United States Marine Corp in 1959 and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. He worked for over 35 years at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tomah. For 28 of those years he worked as a dental assistant. He served on the Tomah City Council for eight years, Alderman of Wards 1 and 2. George was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, especially turkeys and deer. The family hunting trips with his sons and sons-in-law to Winter were some of his favorite times. He loved watching all types of sports—high school, Badgers, Steelers, Packers and NASCAR were some of his favorites. During the summer months, George used to be found at the local speedways racing #40 and #73 with his son, Lane, and at the local tractor pulls, pulling his garden tractor the “Little Red Squirrel.” His greatest joy in life was his family. He shared an especially unique bond with his grandchildren. The times he spent with them were always dear and precious moments. He will be remembered for his quirky sayings, good sense of humor and his fun-loving and giving spirit.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lorraine; his children Lane (Colleen), Lisa (Greg) Clark, Lori (Dave) Goldbeck, Todd (Wendy) all of Tomah, nine grandchildren, Brittany (Nicholas) Finnigan, Courtney (Zachary) Byers, Kelly (Casey) Harp, Cade and Chelsey Clark, Dustin Storkel and Angela Modjeski and Alison and Morgan Wright; six great-grandchildren, Amber, Taylor, Tristan and Austin Finnigan, Joseph Fowler, Abigail Byers; a brother, Gary (Sue) Wright; a sister-in-law, Elaine Ness, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Sr. and Elvera and mother- and father- in-law, Ella and Hugh Terrell.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 27, 2011, 2 p.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 115 W. La Crosse Street, Tomah. Pastor Edwin W. Stigen will officiatewith military honors by Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday from 4-8 p.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau Street, Tomah and at the church on Sunday from 1 p.m. until time of the service. A celebration of George’s life will take place immediately following the funeral service at the American Legion Hall, 800 Wisconsin Street.