Samuel "Sam" John Wright

Samuel John Wright passed from this life January 8, 2010 at the Hospice House in Jonesboro. He was born March 25, 1926, in Dunklin County, MO. His parents were Richard Stanley and Ollie Mae Ridings Wright. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Stanley John Wright, 2 sisters; Mary Madge Meacham and Katherine Elkins and 2 brothers, Robert Stanley and Bill Gene Wright. Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Eva Meacham Wright,; son Kelly Wright of Paragould and a daughter, Linda Crossno of Walnut Ridge. Grandchildren are: Staci Brown, Jonathan Wright, Shellei Rowe, Whitney Nelson, Marnee Sapp and Brandon Crossno and 11 great grandchildren. Sam served in the Navy during WWII on the USS Alpine. He was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for exceptionally meritorious service and heroism against enemy Japanese aircraft, mines and submarines during the following operations: the capture of Guam, the Leyte Landings, the Lingayen Landings and the Okinawa Operation in 1944 and 1945. He was a farmer and lived most of his life in Cardwell, Missouri before moving to Paragould. Visitation will be Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 at Heath Funeral Home. Graveside military service and burial will be 10:00 A.M. Monday with Reverend Jason Noel officiating at Greene County Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family has requested that memorials be made to St. Bernard's Hospice at 1726 Marie Circle, Jonesboro, AR 72401.