Col. John Charles Wright, 85, went to be with the Lord, March 16, 2016. He was born in San Antonio and graduated from Brackenridge H.S. in 1948. While still in high school, he joined the Texas National Guard. He graduated from San Antonio College in 1950. At the outbreak of the Korean War, he joined the USAF Aviation Cadet program. Col. Wright was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, earned his pilot's wings and married his high school sweetheart, Jeannette Pfeil, all on the same day, December 15, 1951 in Phoenix, AZ. He flew 100 missions over North Korea in the F-84 Thunderjet in 1952-1953. He was assigned to Luke AFB and trained new pilots in the air-to-ground combat tactics. In 1959, he flew the B-47 out of Dyess AFB, Abilene, TX until 1962 when he was selected to fly the first supersonic bomber, the B-58 Hustler.
In 1965, he joined the tactical fighter business to fly the F-105 Thunderchief where he received the "Top Gun" award at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV. Transferring overseas to Okinawa in 1966, he commanded the 67th TFS. Col. Wright lead the first USAF fighters in response to the North Korean capture of the US Naval Intelligence Ship, Pueblo. After a year in South Korea, he flew 140 combat missions over Laos and North Vietnam out of Takhli, Thailand.
In 1970, he was assigned to a B-52 D Wing at March AFB, Riverside, CA, where he commanded a squadron and was promoted to Colonel. In 1971, Col. Wright was assigned to Grand Forks AFB, ND, as the 319th Bomb Wing Deputy Commander of Operations. He finished his career at Offutt AFB, Bellevue, NE as the only USAF officer to command the US Navy's CINCPACREP Office. While in Bellevue, Col. Wright earned his bachelor's degree in General Studies from University of Nebraska at Omaha. He retired after 28 years of service on January 1, 1976. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, 13 Air Medals, and 17 additional medals and awards. Upon retirement he was selected to be area manager for the Rockwell Commander's single-engine aircraft, establishing dealerships and becoming the top area manager for two years.
In 1978, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Soon after, God provided an opportunity to establish a USAF JROTC program at Cooper HS in Abilene, TX. During the 17 years that followed, through his leadership, the Texas 794th USAF JROTC was selected as Honor Unit three times and Meritorious Unit three times. He was recognized as an Outstanding Instructor/Teacher by the Governor of the State of Texas. During the time in Abilene, Col. Wright's faith in God influenced the students to learn more about a Christian walk. He and Jeannette opened up their home to conduct high school Bible study for nine years. In 1997, Col. and Mrs. Wright returned to the San Antonio area (Schertz). He has flown and instructed the following Air Force aircraft: T-6, T-28, L-20, C-45, F-51D, T-33, F-80, F-84, F-102, F-105, B-47, B-58, B-52 and KC-135. His flying time totaled over 12,000 hours. He also taught flying as a civilian pilot instructor.
Visitation starts at 10am on Monday, March 28 at Alamo City Church, 6500 IH 35 N, San Antonio, TX, followed by the funeral service at 11am. Afterwards, a military gravesite service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:15pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests people make contributions to the charity of their choice in memory of Col. John C. Wright.
Col. Wright was preceded in death by his parents, John W. Wright and Lela (Spahn) Wright Winters Rader. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Jeannette Wright. His son, Jack and wife, Bonnie, (San Antonio); daughter, Jan Dotzler and husband, Ray, (Omaha, NE); son, CDR, USNR, (Ret.) James and wife, Joy, (Lawrenceville, GA); son, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) Joel and wife, Dawn, (Peacham, VT). His grandchildren, Sarah E. (Wright) Samii and husband, Matthew; John C. Wright II, Jeffrey C. Wright; Brandon J. Dotzler, Stephanie R. (Dotzler) Ellis and husband, Bradley; Jenna C. (Wright) Ritter and husband, Christopher, Jordan C. Wright; Tyler S. Wright, Garrett W. Kukler and great-granddaughter Scarlett E. Samii.
His sister, Vivian Searcy (Vista, CA); brother, Wayne Winters and wife, Betty, (Vista, CA); brother Virgil Winters (Mesa, AZ) and niece, Cynthia Keune, (Oceanside, CA)
Published in Express-News on Mar. 25, 2016
In 1965, he joined the tactical fighter business to fly the F-105 Thunderchief where he received the "Top Gun" award at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV. Transferring overseas to Okinawa in 1966, he commanded the 67th TFS. Col. Wright lead the first USAF fighters in response to the North Korean capture of the US Naval Intelligence Ship, Pueblo. After a year in South Korea, he flew 140 combat missions over Laos and North Vietnam out of Takhli, Thailand.
In 1970, he was assigned to a B-52 D Wing at March AFB, Riverside, CA, where he commanded a squadron and was promoted to Colonel. In 1971, Col. Wright was assigned to Grand Forks AFB, ND, as the 319th Bomb Wing Deputy Commander of Operations. He finished his career at Offutt AFB, Bellevue, NE as the only USAF officer to command the US Navy's CINCPACREP Office. While in Bellevue, Col. Wright earned his bachelor's degree in General Studies from University of Nebraska at Omaha. He retired after 28 years of service on January 1, 1976. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, 13 Air Medals, and 17 additional medals and awards. Upon retirement he was selected to be area manager for the Rockwell Commander's single-engine aircraft, establishing dealerships and becoming the top area manager for two years.
In 1978, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Soon after, God provided an opportunity to establish a USAF JROTC program at Cooper HS in Abilene, TX. During the 17 years that followed, through his leadership, the Texas 794th USAF JROTC was selected as Honor Unit three times and Meritorious Unit three times. He was recognized as an Outstanding Instructor/Teacher by the Governor of the State of Texas. During the time in Abilene, Col. Wright's faith in God influenced the students to learn more about a Christian walk. He and Jeannette opened up their home to conduct high school Bible study for nine years. In 1997, Col. and Mrs. Wright returned to the San Antonio area (Schertz). He has flown and instructed the following Air Force aircraft: T-6, T-28, L-20, C-45, F-51D, T-33, F-80, F-84, F-102, F-105, B-47, B-58, B-52 and KC-135. His flying time totaled over 12,000 hours. He also taught flying as a civilian pilot instructor.
Visitation starts at 10am on Monday, March 28 at Alamo City Church, 6500 IH 35 N, San Antonio, TX, followed by the funeral service at 11am. Afterwards, a military gravesite service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:15pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests people make contributions to the charity of their choice in memory of Col. John C. Wright.
Col. Wright was preceded in death by his parents, John W. Wright and Lela (Spahn) Wright Winters Rader. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Jeannette Wright. His son, Jack and wife, Bonnie, (San Antonio); daughter, Jan Dotzler and husband, Ray, (Omaha, NE); son, CDR, USNR, (Ret.) James and wife, Joy, (Lawrenceville, GA); son, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) Joel and wife, Dawn, (Peacham, VT). His grandchildren, Sarah E. (Wright) Samii and husband, Matthew; John C. Wright II, Jeffrey C. Wright; Brandon J. Dotzler, Stephanie R. (Dotzler) Ellis and husband, Bradley; Jenna C. (Wright) Ritter and husband, Christopher, Jordan C. Wright; Tyler S. Wright, Garrett W. Kukler and great-granddaughter Scarlett E. Samii.
His sister, Vivian Searcy (Vista, CA); brother, Wayne Winters and wife, Betty, (Vista, CA); brother Virgil Winters (Mesa, AZ) and niece, Cynthia Keune, (Oceanside, CA)
Published in Express-News on Mar. 25, 2016
Col. John Charles Wright, 85, went to be with the Lord, March 16, 2016. He was born in San Antonio and graduated from Brackenridge H.S. in 1948. While still in high school, he joined the Texas National Guard. He graduated from San Antonio College in 1950. At the outbreak of the Korean War, he joined the USAF Aviation Cadet program. Col. Wright was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, earned his pilot's wings and married his high school sweetheart, Jeannette Pfeil, all on the same day, December 15, 1951 in Phoenix, AZ. He flew 100 missions over North Korea in the F-84 Thunderjet in 1952-1953. He was assigned to Luke AFB and trained new pilots in the air-to-ground combat tactics. In 1959, he flew the B-47 out of Dyess AFB, Abilene, TX until 1962 when he was selected to fly the first supersonic bomber, the B-58 Hustler.
In 1965, he joined the tactical fighter business to fly the F-105 Thunderchief where he received the "Top Gun" award at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV. Transferring overseas to Okinawa in 1966, he commanded the 67th TFS. Col. Wright lead the first USAF fighters in response to the North Korean capture of the US Naval Intelligence Ship, Pueblo. After a year in South Korea, he flew 140 combat missions over Laos and North Vietnam out of Takhli, Thailand.
In 1970, he was assigned to a B-52 D Wing at March AFB, Riverside, CA, where he commanded a squadron and was promoted to Colonel. In 1971, Col. Wright was assigned to Grand Forks AFB, ND, as the 319th Bomb Wing Deputy Commander of Operations. He finished his career at Offutt AFB, Bellevue, NE as the only USAF officer to command the US Navy's CINCPACREP Office. While in Bellevue, Col. Wright earned his bachelor's degree in General Studies from University of Nebraska at Omaha. He retired after 28 years of service on January 1, 1976. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, 13 Air Medals, and 17 additional medals and awards. Upon retirement he was selected to be area manager for the Rockwell Commander's single-engine aircraft, establishing dealerships and becoming the top area manager for two years.
In 1978, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Soon after, God provided an opportunity to establish a USAF JROTC program at Cooper HS in Abilene, TX. During the 17 years that followed, through his leadership, the Texas 794th USAF JROTC was selected as Honor Unit three times and Meritorious Unit three times. He was recognized as an Outstanding Instructor/Teacher by the Governor of the State of Texas. During the time in Abilene, Col. Wright's faith in God influenced the students to learn more about a Christian walk. He and Jeannette opened up their home to conduct high school Bible study for nine years. In 1997, Col. and Mrs. Wright returned to the San Antonio area (Schertz). He has flown and instructed the following Air Force aircraft: T-6, T-28, L-20, C-45, F-51D, T-33, F-80, F-84, F-102, F-105, B-47, B-58, B-52 and KC-135. His flying time totaled over 12,000 hours. He also taught flying as a civilian pilot instructor.
Visitation starts at 10am on Monday, March 28 at Alamo City Church, 6500 IH 35 N, San Antonio, TX, followed by the funeral service at 11am. Afterwards, a military gravesite service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:15pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests people make contributions to the charity of their choice in memory of Col. John C. Wright.
Col. Wright was preceded in death by his parents, John W. Wright and Lela (Spahn) Wright Winters Rader. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Jeannette Wright. His son, Jack and wife, Bonnie, (San Antonio); daughter, Jan Dotzler and husband, Ray, (Omaha, NE); son, CDR, USNR, (Ret.) James and wife, Joy, (Lawrenceville, GA); son, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) Joel and wife, Dawn, (Peacham, VT). His grandchildren, Sarah E. (Wright) Samii and husband, Matthew; John C. Wright II, Jeffrey C. Wright; Brandon J. Dotzler, Stephanie R. (Dotzler) Ellis and husband, Bradley; Jenna C. (Wright) Ritter and husband, Christopher, Jordan C. Wright; Tyler S. Wright, Garrett W. Kukler and great-granddaughter Scarlett E. Samii.
His sister, Vivian Searcy (Vista, CA); brother, Wayne Winters and wife, Betty, (Vista, CA); brother Virgil Winters (Mesa, AZ) and niece, Cynthia Keune, (Oceanside, CA)
Published in Express-News on Mar. 25, 2016
In 1965, he joined the tactical fighter business to fly the F-105 Thunderchief where he received the "Top Gun" award at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV. Transferring overseas to Okinawa in 1966, he commanded the 67th TFS. Col. Wright lead the first USAF fighters in response to the North Korean capture of the US Naval Intelligence Ship, Pueblo. After a year in South Korea, he flew 140 combat missions over Laos and North Vietnam out of Takhli, Thailand.
In 1970, he was assigned to a B-52 D Wing at March AFB, Riverside, CA, where he commanded a squadron and was promoted to Colonel. In 1971, Col. Wright was assigned to Grand Forks AFB, ND, as the 319th Bomb Wing Deputy Commander of Operations. He finished his career at Offutt AFB, Bellevue, NE as the only USAF officer to command the US Navy's CINCPACREP Office. While in Bellevue, Col. Wright earned his bachelor's degree in General Studies from University of Nebraska at Omaha. He retired after 28 years of service on January 1, 1976. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, 13 Air Medals, and 17 additional medals and awards. Upon retirement he was selected to be area manager for the Rockwell Commander's single-engine aircraft, establishing dealerships and becoming the top area manager for two years.
In 1978, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Soon after, God provided an opportunity to establish a USAF JROTC program at Cooper HS in Abilene, TX. During the 17 years that followed, through his leadership, the Texas 794th USAF JROTC was selected as Honor Unit three times and Meritorious Unit three times. He was recognized as an Outstanding Instructor/Teacher by the Governor of the State of Texas. During the time in Abilene, Col. Wright's faith in God influenced the students to learn more about a Christian walk. He and Jeannette opened up their home to conduct high school Bible study for nine years. In 1997, Col. and Mrs. Wright returned to the San Antonio area (Schertz). He has flown and instructed the following Air Force aircraft: T-6, T-28, L-20, C-45, F-51D, T-33, F-80, F-84, F-102, F-105, B-47, B-58, B-52 and KC-135. His flying time totaled over 12,000 hours. He also taught flying as a civilian pilot instructor.
Visitation starts at 10am on Monday, March 28 at Alamo City Church, 6500 IH 35 N, San Antonio, TX, followed by the funeral service at 11am. Afterwards, a military gravesite service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:15pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests people make contributions to the charity of their choice in memory of Col. John C. Wright.
Col. Wright was preceded in death by his parents, John W. Wright and Lela (Spahn) Wright Winters Rader. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Jeannette Wright. His son, Jack and wife, Bonnie, (San Antonio); daughter, Jan Dotzler and husband, Ray, (Omaha, NE); son, CDR, USNR, (Ret.) James and wife, Joy, (Lawrenceville, GA); son, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) Joel and wife, Dawn, (Peacham, VT). His grandchildren, Sarah E. (Wright) Samii and husband, Matthew; John C. Wright II, Jeffrey C. Wright; Brandon J. Dotzler, Stephanie R. (Dotzler) Ellis and husband, Bradley; Jenna C. (Wright) Ritter and husband, Christopher, Jordan C. Wright; Tyler S. Wright, Garrett W. Kukler and great-granddaughter Scarlett E. Samii.
His sister, Vivian Searcy (Vista, CA); brother, Wayne Winters and wife, Betty, (Vista, CA); brother Virgil Winters (Mesa, AZ) and niece, Cynthia Keune, (Oceanside, CA)
Published in Express-News on Mar. 25, 2016
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