Francis "Lea" Wright Jr.

1949 - 2011

Former Fairbanks resident, Francis "Lea" Wright, Jr. died peacefully May 26, 2011 at his home in Eagle Point, Ore., with loved ones at his side. He was 61. Lea was born Sept. 21, 1949, at Fort Leavenworth in Leavenworth, Kan. Lea died from pancreatic cancer.
Born into a military family, his childhood years were spent moving between different Army bases, including ones in Kansas, Texas, California and Washington. After his father retired from the Army in 1963, they settled in White City, Ore. Lea started seventh grade at Eagle Point Grade School and graduated from Eagle Point High School in 1968. He tried college, but that didn't hold his interest.
Lea enlisted in the Air Force in 1969, attended boot camp at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. and was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. He was trained as an avionics systems technician for various military helicopters. He completed his 4-year tour of duty and was discharged in 1973. Lea travelled to Alaska shortly after leaving the Air Force to join his family who had moved to Fairbanks in summer 1970.
Lea's daughter, Sarah, was born Sept. 13, 1975 (from a previous marriage to Ann Childress) in Fairbanks. Lea joined Alaska Operating Engineers Union and worked from Prudhoe Bay to Fairbanks until he decided to leave Alaska in 1985. Lea travelled around the United States briefly and once again settled in Oregon. He lived in the Little Applegate area then migrated back to the Rogue
Valley. In 1991, Lea settled in Eagle Point, Ore. In 1996, Lea became self-employed as a handyman. It was his true calling, and many of his customers were like family to him. Lea enjoyed the outdoors, antiques, doing mechanical/electrical work, rocks, inventing, creating and loved to go to the library. His interests were vast as was his love for family and friends. He enjoyed helping people when he could. He was a yearly volunteer for MDA, because of a family member having MD. In 2001, he married Terry (Arens) Young, they lived in Eagle Point,Ore.
Lea is survived by his wife, Terry, of Eagle Point, Ore.; daughter, Sarah (Wright) Bevard and son-in-law Rob, of Delta Junction; grandchildren, Ashley, Emily and Brady of Delta Junction; Treauna, of Eagle Point, Ore.; Taylor and Tristen of Talent, Ore.; sister, Jeanne (Wright-Marks) Knapp and niece, Carol (Marks) Tompkins and family of Fairbanks; and numerous other relatives. Lea was preceded in death by his parents Francis Lea Wright, Sr. and Anna Grace McMillen Wright Lott.
Lea will be laid to rest at Eagle Point National Cemetery, in Eagle Point, Ore., a service will be held there, Monday, June 6, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. A gathering to share memories will be held at the Eagle Point Grange immediately following the service. Arrangements are being handled by Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to your local Hospice or a charity of your choice.