Clare William Wright

Wright, Clare William Wright (aka Leon Owens)
Died August 27, 2004 at age 60, succumbing to peripheral vascular disease, after a heroic 9-month-long battle. Musician, poet, painter, clothing designer, Clare was a creative jack of all trades and a master of all. He was born in Long Beach, of military parents and moved to Los Angeles from Miami in 1963, where he became the saxophone player and all-around comic foil for the Beau-Jives, a popular 4-piece night club band, which in 1964 was featured on the final episode of the Danny Thomas series "Make Room For Daddy". The band expanded to 5 pieces, changing its name to The 4 1/2, in commemoration of his 96-lb. stature, and continued to be one of the most popular combos, playing clubs all over Southern California. Its signature showpiece was Clare being swung in a circle by his heels, while playing his sax solo, the number that landed them the Danny Thomas appearance. After semi-retiring from active playing, he started The Wright Touch, which designed, created and distributed one-of-a-kind trims, buttons and laces to clothing manufacturers. Wearing only his own clothing designs, Clare was very much an individual, and widely admired. He faced a number of health problems over the last 4 years of his life, but he never faced them with less than constant optimism and a positive attitude. Married once, he had no children, but is survived by his beloved devoted mother, Ina Noyes, of Carson, California, his sister, Safi Harnett of Almogordo, New Mexico, nephews Melvin and Richard Harnett. A memorial service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, September 4, 2004 at Colony Cove Mobile Home Estates, 17700 S. Avalon Bl., in Carson, California. Call (310)200-4054 for information. Please note that yesterday's notice contained an error. It is "Colony Cove" not "Colo0ny Care."