The Reverend George Jason Wright, Jr., 86, passed away on Aug. 21, 2014 at the Floyd E. “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home in Huntsville, Alabama. He was born to George Jason and Gertrude Elizabeth Mary (Wetzel) Wright, Sr. on Sept. 30, 1927 in Saginaw, Michigan. He married Phyllis Ruth Harbin on Sept. 1, 1951 at the Jefferson Ave. Methodist Church, Saginaw. George served in the United States Army from 1945-48 and was stationed at Giessen, Germany. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Michigan National Guard. George attended Saginaw Valley State University, then transferred to and graduated from Capital University and Trinity Lutheran Seminary, both in Columbus, Ohio. He served his seminary internship at St. Petri Lutheran Church, Toledo, Ohio. George served as pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Casco Township, Michigan; St. John Lutheran, Church, Greenville, Ohio; St. John Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio; Grace Lutheran Church, Centerburg, Ohio; and Redeemer Lutheran Church, Elyria, Ohio. Over the years, George was active in the Lions Club, as well as several mental health boards. While in Columbus, he worked with transient persons at the downtown mission. He was involved with prison ministry and served on a parole board while in Elyria. After retirement, George worked part time at Trinity Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio. He resided in Columbus, then in Houston, Texas and Huntsville, Alabama. Surviving George are daughters: Ellen (David) Lady, Huntsville, Alabama; Susan (David) Sprang, Gladwin, Michigan; Ruth Wright, Huntsville, Alabama; grandchildren: Jeanne Marie Lady, Bloomington, Indiana; Jason (Julie) Lady, Cleveland Heights, Ohio; and Mark (Lesley) Sprang, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He also leaves several nieces and nephews and “honorary daughter” Rebecca Kessinger. George was predeceased by his parents; wife; sister and brother-in-law, Gael and William Thompson; brother-in-law, Donald Harbin; and sister-in-law, Beatrice (Zacharias) Harbin. Cremation is being handled by the Berryhill Funeral Home, Huntsville. George and Phyllis will be interred at a private service at the St. John Lutheran Church cemetery, Greenville, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family desires memorial donations go to Lutheran World Relief at P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21298-9832 or at www.lwr.org; or to your local animal shelter.
