Thomas Wright

Thomas Wright, age 84 was called home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 8, 2020. Thomas was born September 30, 1935 in Sardis, Mississippi to parents, James and Henrietta Lee (Barksdale) Wright. In 1944 James relocated his family to Chicago, Illinois. 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, Thomas enlisted in the United States Air Force and on April 1, 1975, with 20+ years of honorable service to his country, Thomas retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant from Rickenbacker Air Force Base. Serving in the military was Thomas’ proudest accomplishment, which he surmised on many occasions as “the best decision” he ever made.

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 was employed 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. 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. Always a man of faith 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 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, all of Columbus; 12 great-grandchildren; step-daughters, Earlene Harris of Columbus, MS, Binica Harris of Jackson, MS, Claudia Harris of East Saint Louis, MO, 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.

Visitation 10 AM and Funeral Service 11 AM Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave. A mask is mandatory.

Interment at Glen Rest Memorial Gardens.