With profound sorrow, The Wright Family announces the passing of George H. Wright Jr.
George was born April 23, 1936 to George and Marie Wright Sr. in Long Island, New York. His family moved to Nevada when he was 9, settling in Sparks. George attended Sparks High School and met the lady of his dreams. She was a student and hall monitor that cited kids running, skipping steps or late for class. Her name was Sharyn and he did anything he could just so she would talk to him. (so yes, George got cited daily for something). George didn’t have the opportunity for a formal education because he left school to work the railroad at nights to help support the family. He enlisted in the Air Force, served and received an Honorable Discharge.
George married Sharyn in 1955 and moved to California. By 1960 they had three children (Toni, Skip, Lori) and he took a job in Oakdale, CA with Holman Scales. George worked a lot away from home but, always made time for family vacations. He enjoyed elk and pheasant hunting and was a volunteer firefighter for Dry Creek Fire Dept. George also was an active parent in his son’s Boy Scout Troop #36, and did the end of year 50 miler hikes. He also took the family dog “Heidi” and they earned three patches each.
George and Sharyn bought an Almond Ranch in Oakdale and signed as a Grower for Blue Diamond Almonds in 1972. He got his contractors license and opened Mid-Cal Construction in 1975. Soon after that they opened and operated Oakdale Recycle Center with Sharyn at the helm. George and Sharyn were very successful business owners, partners and growers. At 55, George wanted to retire and took his passion of growing to full time. They purchased more acreage, planting almonds and George enjoyed being in the fields. If you know the poem by Paul Harvey “So God made a Farmer” that was George. Being a farmer was his “Crowning Achievement”. He was a man who was serious about business but, not far from the surface was his sense of humor and wit.
George known to his wife, family and friends as a friend, a protector, an advisor and an inspiration achieving the highest regards and respect from all that knew him. He believed in Integrity, Commitment and being Humble was the secret to living a good long life. George and Sharyn were married 65 wonderful and happy years with 52 years on the ranch we still call home today. George’s legacy “though a mighty tall order to measure up to” will live on through the Wright generations because of the love, support and patience he gave his children and grandchildren.
Knowing George and being a part of his life, we consider to be the highest honor and privilege bestowed upon the three of us who called him “DAD”!
George is preceded in death by his wife Sharyn, his parents Marie Stafford and George H. Wright Sr.
George is survived by his children Toni Calistro (Gary Calistro), George (Skip) Wright III (Sue Kirsch), Lori Wright Vegas (Bob Stombaugh). His grandchildren Joshua Wright, Jessica Terczynski (Jason), Cyndi Calistro, Justin Wright, Tim Wilson Jr., Tanya Trummell (Kenji) and six great grandchildren. His brothers Arthur (Chuck) Ketchum (Linda), Richard Wright and sister Janet Duncan.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the F.F.A. (Future Farmers of America) Stanislaus County.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
Nov. 2, 2022