Thomas G. Wright

Wright, Thomas G. 93 Nov. 22, 1920 Aug. 23, 2014 Thomas G. Wright, a longtime Oregon journalist, historian and combat veteran of WWII, died Aug. 23, 2014, at his home in Terwilliger Plaza, where he had lived since 2006. Born Nov. 22, 1920, at a homestead in Sams Valley, Jackson County, he was 93. An avid golfer, he played nine holes the week before his final illness. Tom was truly a man for all seasons; at Terwilliger Plaza he was known as the "Plaza Poet," and with his close friend, Don Balmer, coordinated and directed Saturday morning breakfasts at which most of Oregon's political and community leaders spoke. He was an artist, working with mixed media up to the time of his death, and readers of The Oregonian's opinion pages relished his concise (one paragraph) letters to the editor. It was as a journalist that he established himself after WWII; he left the University of Oregon a couple of courses short of graduation to join his new bride, Marguerite Wittwer, at The Oregon Statesman, as a general assignments reporter. He became the first fulltime Capitol reporter for the paper, then published and edited by former Governor Charles A. Sprague. Later, Tom was state editor and traveled the Mid-Willamette Valley tirelessly, always with a camera (another of his avocations). Tom interrupted his Statesman career to serve as Governor Robert Holmes's administrative assistant in Holmes's two-year term. He also served as executive secretary of a legislative interim committee. Tom and Marguerite were active Democrats all their lives. They moved to Portland in 1969. Tom was a partner in the advertising firm of Denny, Wagoner, Scott and Wright, and was president at the time of his 1980 retirement. Among his accounts, he helped launch TriMet and the much-heralded public relations and advertising introduction of Henry Weinhard beer. Retirement did not mean lack of activity; Tom kept a prize garden, and he and Marguerite traveled widely in and outside the country, including to her family land in Switzerland. They were active at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, the Oregon Historical Society and Tom was a 21-year volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Oh yes, he shot his age (73) on a full-length golf course. Nor did retirement mean the end of service to his country. Tom spent most of his adult life in active or reserve military service; he enlisted two days after Pearl Harbor, leaving his journalism classes at the University of Oregon. He was quickly commissioned as a U.S. Army second lieutenant, in the so-called "90-Day Wonder" program of that time. He saw service in North Africa and Italy, including the deadly Anzio campaign as a tank-destroyer platoon leader. His unit took heavy casualties as it moved up the west coast of Italy, and Tom was "shot out of the war" with leg wounds. He holds the Purple Heart and Croix de Guerre awards. He served more than 28 years with the U.S. Army Reserve following his discharge, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel in a civil affairs unit. He attended several Army command courses as a reservist. Tom was well prepared for the arduous demands of combat; he was raised on a small farm in a board-and-batten cabin with an outhouse, and helped his family by picking crops. He was an avid reader, stamp collector and began his early interest in journalism. His parents were poor in the way of the Depression, but encouraged his interest in learning and the modest home always had plenty to read. Until WWII intervened, Tom attended Southern Oregon Normal School (now Southern Oregon University) and the University of Oregon. Tom and Marguerite provided loving support for their four daughters, raised in Salem and Portland. Family backpacking, games and travel were important to the family, including ten trips to Death Valley with friends. Marguerite died in 2011, and their eldest daughter, Suzanne Mitchell, preceded her in death in 1996. Surviving Tom are his daughters, Patricia Rolin, Sarah Auker (David) and Jeanne Dolan (Mike); nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. T he family would like to thank the staff and residents of Terwilliger Plaza, the Metcalf Residential Unit and Providence Hospice Services for the love, care and support during our father's illness. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Fri- day, Sept. 26, 2014, at the Terwilliger Plaza Auditorium. Donations may be made to the Oregon Historical Society.