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Clarence Wright Obituary
December 11, 1948 - February 23, 2025
Clarence Wright Jr passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2025. He was born on December 11, 1948 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Clarence W. Wright and Bertha Wright. He was preceded in death by his parents and his three siblings, Jimmy Wright, Ruby Bass, and Dorothy Wright. He was beloved by his family and very devoted to them.
He helped his family run their roller skating rink in east Tulsa growing up, but his interest in animals led him to work for Hugh and Zelta Davis at their small zoo in Catoosa. He graduated from OSU with a zoology degree and began a long professional life in zoos. His special love was otters and he became an expert in their care in captivity. But he worked with everything from fish to great apes, and was especially fond of reptiles.
Zoos he worked for include the Tulsa Zoo, Palm Beach Zoo in Florida, Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, and the Potawatomi Zoo in Indiana, where he was Zoo Director.
He taught biology for several years at Tulsa Community College and Northeastern State University in Tahlequah.
Clarence will be remembered for his kindness and polite soft spoken manner.
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Memories and Condolences
for Clarence Wright
Sponsored by Gary Kelley's Add'Vantage Funeral Service.
4 Entries
Karen Furnweger
June 19, 2025
Just learned about Clarence's death. Clarence and I were good friends during his time as curator of reptiles at Lincoln Park Zoo, where I was a volunteer docent. The photo is just how I remember him. We shared a love of reptiles, and we had delightful conversations at the zoo, when we got together for an occasional vegetarian dinner and when we saw each other at zoo conferences after he left LPZ and I had gained a job at Shedd Aquarium. But I also knew of his passion for river otters, especially the rascals he had in Oklahoma. Clarence was a sweet, spiritual man, and I was impressed by his dedication and long-distance attention to his siblings. He was only a few years older than me, too young to leave the world just yet.
Susie Ellis
March 13, 2025
I met Clarence at Lincoln Park zoo. He was an incredibly kind and gentle person and took great pride in his work. I remember him asking me into his office one time he said I have something really special to show you and it was a female scorpion with a ton of babies, crawling all over her. I was kind of grossed out, but went along with it because he was so proud. Rest in peace, my friend.
Joyce Shaw
March 13, 2025
I knew Clare from his time at Lincoln Park Zoo. He was a good man who loved animals. He is remembered fondly.
Esther Gathuni
March 10, 2025
Rest in peace ClarenceYou fought your battles well!
I´m happy I took care of you at the hospital when you really needed us!!
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