Harold Stanley "Stan" Wright

H. Stanley Wright, 76 of Gaylord, passed away on June 3, 2019 at home, following a yearlong battle with esophageal cancer.

Born in Dayton, Ohio on February 2, 1943, he was the son of Harold L. and Margaret E. (Rogers) Wright.

Stan graduated from Fairview High School in Dayton and Bowling Green State University with a BS in Business.  As a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, he made lifelong friendships.

Taking “Go West Young Man” to heart, he landed in Colville, WA.  There he met Gloria (Jeanne) Hickey, Memorial Day weekend, 1975 and married her Labor Day weekend, 1975 in the Japanese Gardens, Spokane, WA.

Stan’s gypsy nature led him across the country more than once.  At 34 he took a job in a sawmill,”pulling” green chain, a job typically done by 18 year olds.  Undaunted, he learned it quickly and soon was driving forklifts and loading railroad cars with lumber.  From Washington he followed lumber and his boss to a sawmill in Hayfork, CA where he “built” lumber loads to be shipped down the mountain in trucks.

Next on his horizon was learning to weld and helping to build and launch river barges on the Snake River with a crew of only eight men.

Retail sales was always his back up employment, but truly his forte.  Over the years he sold hardware, sporting goods, lumber and shoes.  His first Gaylord employer was the Sears store and he was part of the original crew that opened the store.  But the opening of Gaylord’s Jays Sporting Goods was irresistible to his passion for all things outdoors.

Stan loved boats from early childhood and never got over it.  His greatest love was his sailboat.  He was a self taught sailor and the adventures were many.

Mr. Wright is survived by his wife, Gloria (Jeanne); daughter, Jennifer Metzger and her husband, Dameon; daughter Elizabeth Wright; grandsons, Dylan and Wyatt Metzger and numerous nieces and nephews.

In keeping with Stan’s wishes, his family will remember him privately.  Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to Compassus Hospice.

Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com