Thomas Gilbert WRIGHT

1934 - 2014

WRIGHT Jr., Thomas Gilbert (Pete)

Thomas Gilbert Wright, Jr better known as Pete, age 80, of Georgetown, Texas died Friday, September 19, 2014, at Seton Medical Center-Williamson. He is survived by his two daughters, Fanny Wright Hoy of Georgetown, and Mandy Wright of Austin; two grandsons, Marlon Hoy and Max Aiden Hoy of Austin; a sister JackLyn Wright of Tampa Bay, Fl; numerous nieces and nephews; cherished-family-friend, Mary Nell Witt of Palmer, Tx and five pets, Jack, Lulu, Stella, Jesse and Tulip-his immediate family, who loved, respected and adored him.

Pete was born on February 28, 1934, in Ellis County, Texas, to Thomas Gilbert Wright, Sr and Thelma Lee (Lummus) Wright. Pete resided with his parents, grandparents, Andrew Jackson Lummus and Laura Lummus, as well as his uncle Jack Lummus during his youth and throughout World War II. He lost his beloved grandfather, Andrew Jackson Lummus, Assistant Chief of Police to the line of duty in 1944. Ten months later his uncle, Jack Lummus, tight-end for the New York Giants, was killed on Iwo Jima during World War II. After the war he and his parents moved to Houston where his father Thomas Gilbert Wright, Sr was employed for Southern Pacific Railroad. The family returned to Ellis County and his mother, Thelma eventually opened Wright's Record Shop in Ellis County.

Pete was an accomplished athlete and was competitive in football, basketball, track and also competed as a finalist in the Golden Gloves Championship in Dallas. He attended Kilgore College on a football scholarship before transferring to The University of Texas at Austin and graduating in 1960 with a Bachelors Degree in Business.

Pete married Zita Wanda Crow on July 20,1957 and they resided in UT student housing until he graduated. He and his family then moved to Dallas where he was employed by a Dallas Newspaper, before relocating to Lubbock to enroll in the MBA program at Texas Tech University. He lived his life in Texas, San Diego, Colorado, Austin, Lewisville, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Lubbock, Cedar Park and Georgetown. He, Zita and Mandy moved back to Austin in December 1985 and recently Pete moved to Georgetown, after the loss of Zita in 2013.

Pete owned a successful business in Dallas and was a skilled printer, business owner, artist, and writer. He was creative throughout his life, unafraid of change and invigorated at the quest to embark on new endeavors. While retired he compiled and wrote a book outlining the factual history of his uncle, Jack Lummus' life including his wife Zita's brother, Joe Crow, which captured the history that embody the loss that America experienced during World War II. He had incredible strength of character, determination, believed in self-sufficiency, though was insistent on doing right by his wife, daughters and grandsons.

Pete and Zita enjoyed reading, sharing a curious passion for knowledge, the arts, healthy eating, cooking, fitness and a simple peaceful approach to life. Family friends often took notice that though he was not responsive to idle chit chat, when he said something it was worth listening too.

Pete wished that his body be cremated and no formal funeral be put in place. An informal party will be held for family and friends for he and his beloved wife Zita, when his ashes are returned. Understanding that death is a part of life and life is an adventure, Pete and Zete requested their ashes be spread throughout the world by their daughters and grandsons in honor and celebration of their lives.~We love and will hold dear to our hearts your mindful advice, but will miss you deeply Pete.

With respect for Pete and Zete's shared passion of "what a poor life without art," the family ask donations be made to:

Public Broadcasting Services "PBS" www.pbs.org

Blanton Museum of Art The University of Texas at Austin http://blantonmuseum.org/get_involved/support_the_blanton/commemorative_gifts