Fred M. Wright

1918 - 2017

Fred M. Wright

Our beloved father, grandfather 'Gonanny', uncle, and great grandfather Fred died peacefully in his home on October 23, 2017 in Seattle, WA in his 100th year.

Fred was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 16, 1918 and grew up on Long Island. His dad died when he was 9 years old. Fred truly was a "self-made man", having worked his way through Colgate University with the aid of a football/academic scholarship. After graduating, he taught math and science in his local high school, as well as coached football for a year and a half. After Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve.

After commissioning at Annapolis, he was assigned to a destroyer, the USS Dashiell DD 659, as Chief Engineer, then Executive Officer. He spent WWII in the Pacific at most major landings and battles, from Tarawa to Tokyo, earning 8 campaign medals and the Bronze Star with "V".

It was on a battle damage repair respite to Bremerton Navy Yard for 6 weeks that he met his future wife Patricia Osborne. They were married after the war when Fred returned November 1945 and enjoyed 70 happily married years together. Fred and Pat used to talk about being the oldest couple in Laurelhurst since they had lived in the same house for over 60 years.

Fred's business life was spent primarily with Procter and Gamble in sales/marketing management for over 23 years, followed by 11 years as Vice President at Western Farmers Cooperative in Seattle.

He loved skiing, and started mountain climbing in his 50s, summiting most northwest peaks. On a trip to Europe, he climbed the Matterhorn.

When Fred retired, he explored genealogy, refinishing/repairing furniture for friends and family, and loved time on his computer.

His wife Patricia, son Denny, and brother William predeceased him.

He is survived by his son Bill (Patrice Clark), daughter-in-law Sue, grandchildren Lindsey Sowell (Ryan), Ryan (Kelsey), Sarah, and Liana, great grandchildren Shelby, Rogan, Jayde;a, and Cadence, sister-in-laws Katherine, Jean Wilhelm, and Betty Pinkerton, nieces Diane, Wendy, Lissa Wilhelm, Tina Owens, Carol Pinkerton-Ewens, and nephew Stephen.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Tin Can Sailors, PO Box 100, Somerset, MA 02726.

A celebration of both Fred and Pat's lives will be following in the spring.

Please sign Fred's online Guestbook at www.Legacy.com.