In Memory

Kenneth W Wright - Class Of 1946

Kenneth W Wright

It is with great sadness that the family of Kenneth William Wright, Sr (December 5, 1928 - January 28, 2018) announce his passing at age 89. Ken is survived by his wife Mary Ann and his six children - Bill (Terri), David (Ron), Kathleen (Ray), Bob (Toni), Doug (Pam), and Karen. Ken had 19 grandchildren as well as five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews that he thoroughly enjoyed. He kept up with all their travels throughout the world and was exceedingly proud of them. Ken was from a family of eight and is survived by his younger brother, Ronald (JoAnne) Wright.

Ken was born in Denver, Colorado and was the sixth of eight children. He spent his early life in the western states and his high school years in South Pasadena. Ken joined the Marines in 1950, less than a month after the Korean War began. He went through basic training, graduated at the top of his class and was selected as a Drill Instructor; training recruits to prepare them for battle in the Korean War. He met our mother in the summer of 1951 at a beach party and they were married in May 1953. After only a few weeks of marriage he shipped out to Korea as a member of the 1st Marine Division and returned in July 1954. Mustering out as a Sergeant, Ken started life with his wife in San Diego. It was a matter of considerable pride to Ken's parents to see their son serve as a noncommissioned officer in the Marine Corps and then persevere in completing his education to become the first member of the family to obtain his college degree. Ken graduated from San Diego State University and began his high school teaching career at Mission Bay High School where he was also a track coach.

Ken was an avid reader which gave him the dream and idea to leave the city in search of a ranch in Northern California and be able to raise his family in the country. In 1965, Ken with his wife and 5 of 6 kids, and faithful dog Gretchen, moved to Palo Cedro, California. Ken started teaching American History at Shasta High School and educated countless students until retirement in 1985.

In 1971 he bought the ranch in Cottonwood he had dreamed about and continued his teaching career at Shasta High School. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish, and camp throughout Northern California and taught all his children how to handle and respect firearms. Ken was a Life Member of the US Marine Corp Drill Instructors, the Veterans' of Foreign Wars, the NRA and the California Rifle and Pistol Association.

Redding Record Searchlight, February 3, 2018