THOMAS EARL WRIGHT

December 1, 1932 – December 17, 2017

Tom, will you come and spend Christmas with me?  Tom, will you come and spend our 65th wedding anniversary with me?  Faye, I am on my way, and I cannot wait to see you!

Thomas “Tom” Earl Wright, 85, of Louisburg, left his family and friends on December 17, 2017, to have a “date night” with the love of his life, Faye.  Born in Franklinton, North Carolina on December 1, 1932, he was the son of the late John Dewey Wright and Annie Lee Hayes Wright.  He was preceded in death by his lovely wife, Mary Faye Young Wright, his sisters Kathleen Wright Peoples of Franklinton, North Carolina, Maureen Wright Stone of Louisburg, North Carolina, and his brother, JD Wright of Goldsboro, North Carolina.

In 1952, Tom joined the United States Air Force and served his country proudly for 22 years before retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1974.  Tom and his family were fortunate to be able to travel the world together on his many assignments with the Air Force.  Upon retiring, he returned home to Franklin County, where he ran a successful Nationwide insurance agency for 19 years with his wife always by his side.  His third career was spent loving and spoiling his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who they affectionately called “Papa.”

Tom’s family and friends were so important to him and they were the nucleus of his existence.  He never met a stranger, and always had a great story to tell because he had the “gift of gab.”  Tom was a character, and always wanted to be “Wright” about everything. Live, laugh, and love; he did all three well, except when you called him “Thomas Earl.”

Over the years, Tom participated in and volunteered for numerous organizations.  He was a member of the James A. Johnson Masonic Lodge, American Legion, and was an active member of Piney Grove United Methodist Church, where he served on various church committees throughout the years.  Tom loved his church family and he was a servant of God.

Tom leaves behind his family that meant so much to him:  sons and daughters-in-law, Hugh and Jackie Wright of Louisburg; Drew and Donna Wright of Navarre, Florida; Stuart and Tracey Wright of Louisburg; grandchildren Stuart Wright, Jason Wright (Jessie), Andrew Wright (Laura), Huntley Wright, Samantha Wright and Maggie Sims (Daniel); six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews that were very special to him.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, December 22, 2017 at 10:00 am at Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory.  A celebration of Tom’s life will begin at 11:00 am followed by the burial at Oakwood cemetery in Louisburg.  Afterwards, there will be a reception at the home of Stuart and Tracey Wright.

             The family would like to especially thank Gail Storey, as well as Joyce Branch, and Felesia Edwards, who were Tom’s companions, lunch buddies, and caregivers in the absence of his beloved Faye.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Piney Grove United Methodist Church, c/o Donna Ball, 352 Moulton Rd., Louisburg, NC 27549; James A. Johnson Masonic Lodge, 412 or the William B. Barrow Chapter 39, NC Order of the Eastern Star, P.O. Box 692, Louisburg, NC 27549.

Well done good and faithful servant.  We will deeply miss our family patriarch.

Arrangements are by Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, Louisburg, NC. www.stricklandfuneralhome.net

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