Wendell K. Wright, Jr.

Wendell K. "Whitey" Wright, Jr., 75, of Topeka, passed away on Monday, March 20, 2006 at a Topeka care center. He was born on September 21, 2006 in Abilene, the son of Wendell K. and Josephine Daviess Long Wright, Sr. He was of the Methodist faith and was baptized at the First United Methodist Church in Abilene. Whitey graduated from Topeka High School in 1948. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War. He was employed by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company for 40 years before retiring in February of 1987. He was a life member of Goodyear Post No. 2187, V.F.W. Whitey married Phyllis Starkel in August of 1954. She survives. Other survivors include one brother, Jared Joe Wright of Wichita, two nieces, Ruth Bander and Jean Wright both of St. Louis, MO, one nephew, Robert Wright of Columbus, OH, four great-nieces and three great-nephews. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Burial will follow in West Lawn Memorial Gardens. Whitey will lie in state after 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday evening. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Lowman United Methodist Church, 4000 S.W. Drury Ln., Topeka, KS 66604 or Midland Hospice Care, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.