Johnie Byron Wright

Johnie Byron Wright, an Officer and a Gentleman, passed away August 4, 2024 in Edmond, OK.
Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, August 9, 2024 with Rev. Terra Sisco officiating. Burial will follow immediately afterwards at the Marlow Cemetery. All arrangements have been entrusted to the Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral and Cremation Services. Public viewing will be held Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 11:00 AM- 5:00 PM.
He was born in the living room of the family home in Bray, OK on Sept. 1, 1931 to Johnie Opal Wright and Byron Wright. He was the only child of pillars of the community who owned and ran a business at "Wright's Corner" including a café, general store, filling station and at one time, even a blacksmith. During this time the Great Depression was in process. Most of the community was very poor and traded eggs, chickens, hides and other marketable items to Johnie's father for food. Mostly came to the store in horse drawn wagons or on horseback.
Following graduation from Bray High School in 1949, Johnie attended Central State College on an athletic scholarship and married Dolores Culbreath. Upon graduation from CSC he was already a Mason, joined the Navy and was accepted into Officers Candidate School in Rhode Island. In active duty until 1959, Johnie traveled back and forth across the Pacific delivering cargo from Japan, Vietnam and Korea. Following active duty, Johnie took a job with Tinker as a computer programmer and then with the FAA, eventually as upper-management supervisor, leading a team of programmers and technicians to continue development of what was then a state-of-the art simulation of the FAA's airspace. This was used to train fledgling Air Traffic Controllers. Johnie remained in the Navy Reserves achieving the rank of Captain before his retirement from the Navy in 1976. Upon retirement from the FAA in 1987, Johnie went back to work "for the fun of it" for FKW, a contractor with the FAA until 1998. Meanwhile, Johnie became Mr. Mom extraordinaire when his wife was killed in a car crash in 1973, leaving two small children whom they had adopted, Shanna and Sholin. He was a devoted, loving dad, making the best home for them any child could have. The three of them took family vacations, skiing, Hawaii, Mexico, Colorado and New Mexico, and the Bahamas. He showered love and time on both, including teaching them how to be good people and interesting "stuff" like the constellations. He loved OU football, jogging, his family and pets. He introduced his son to computers which has been his career ever since. He enabled and encouraged his daughter to start her career as a hair stylist. He was always a super listener, without judgement. It was important to Johnie that his "kids" agreeably gave their blessing when he told them he wanted to marry Deanie. His eyes lit up talking about her. Shanna helped design her wedding ring. Johnie involved both children in making important decisions, especially remarrying. In 1992 Johnie married Deanie Dillen, and both remained active in volunteer work at the church and tutoring foreign visitors with language lessons to attain their citizenship. Johnie and Deanie traveled extensively to numerous states including Alaska, Hawaii and hiking the Grand Canyon. They enjoyed Costa Rica and Europe, especially Italy.
Setting aside the military, professional career and being the pillar in the family, Johnie was best known for being a kind, generous, loving, and patriotic person. His wisdom was shared with a smile and kindness. His loyalty to the people in this life was the priority and his devotion to all his friends and family was felt deeply. Johnie leaves behind his loving wife, Deanie Wright, daughter Shanna Colbert, son Sholin Wright, grandson Michael Berry, granddaughter Kati Davis, stepson, Todd Dillen and many grandchildren, step grandchildren and great grandchildren and great step grandchildren. Johnie is also survived by many dear relatives and friends in the Bray area and Oklahoma City.
Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Edmond Masonic Lodge #37. Mailing address is 1026 N. Blvd, Edmond, OK 73034.
Online Condolences may be made at wwwcallawaysmithcobb.com