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Charles Thomas Wright, Jr., age 77, of Lake Lure, passed away on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at Hospice House in Forest City, NC. He was born October 31, 1943 to the late Charles Thomas Wright and Sara Whiteside in Rutherfordton, NC. “CT”, as he was affectionately known, graduated from Broughton High School in Raleigh, NC, where he met the love of his life and soon to be wife, Becky Ann Gaddy. “CT” went on to graduate from Duke University on a Navy ROTC scholarship. Never a man to waste time, in June of 1965 he graduated from Duke on a Friday, was married on Saturday and reported for naval flight training in Pensacola, FL on Monday. While in the Navy, “CT” earned the call sign “Lightning” for his strong, southern, deliberate speech on the radio as an LSO. Serving in the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic during his time in the Navy, he would come to enjoy aviation and would make it his career after his discharge from service. He went on to work for Delta Airlines in 1970 and retired after 33 years of flying commercial passenger jets. After moving back to the family homeplace in Rutherford County in 1995, “CT” served on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity, as well as various committees at First United Methodist Church of Rutherfordton. He was chairman of the Men’s Breakfast group at FUMC and enjoyed playing golf as much as possible. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, “CT” enjoyed walking the family land and living in what he called “God’s Country”, referring to the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “CT” and his wife of 56 years, Becky Ann Gaddy, have 2 children, Stephen Charles Wright and wife, Alice Hubbard Wright (of Rutherfordton), and Laura Ann Wrobel and husband, Alan Edward Wrobel (of Raleigh), and 4 granddaughters; Sara Taylor Wright, Beverly Suzanne Wrobel, Sara Marion Wrobel and Ashlee Grace Wrobel. Funeral services will be held 2PM Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at First United Methodist in Rutherfordton with Dr. In- Yong Lee officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 1, 2021 from 5 until 7 PM at Crowe’s Mortuary in Rutherfordton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 264 N Main Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 or Habitat for Humanity, 269 W Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043. https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21244746/Charles-Thomas-Wright/Rutherfordton/North-Carolina/Crowe-s-Mortuary-And-Crematory
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William Stroupe
We've lost a good man with the passing of Charles Wright. Although the notice of his death cites someone referring to his Southern speech pattern, the way he spoke actually reminded me of Alan Ladd--laser clear in a resonant pitch that underscored his honesty and sincerity. I was impressed at all that he accomplished in his life, but not surprised. In the years that I knew him at Wiley Elementary and Broughton, he always approached any task at hand with a quiet confidence. RIP, "CT" (although I always knew you as Charles).
Linda Haley (Walker)
I have not lived in N.C. since 1963, but I have great memories of both "Charlie" Wright and Becky Gaddy Wright fom our years in the Junior and Senior High School groups at Edenton Street UMC. Charlie and I were in several plays at the church (usually at Christmas or Easter), and he usually made the experience memorable in some way. My favorite memory is from a Christmas play, I believe in 1960, when the curtain fell on the first act after I had asked Charlie"s character a question. We were supposed to be looking at each other very seriously as the curtain was drawn. When this moment arrived and I looked at him, he very slowly rolled his eyeballs out of sight. It took every bit of strength that I had not to burst out laughing; Thanks, again, Charlie, My thouhts and prayers are with my friend Becky and his entire family.
Herbert H. (Herb) Cobb
Charles T. Wright Jr. Where do I start? 'Charles' always to Becky, 'Charlie' always to me. We were both born in Western NC, we both had Halloween as our birthday, both families moved to Raleigh in th early '50s, we both had sisters as part of our family, we attended Edenton St. Methodist together, we were in scouts together, we worked with T. A. Loving construction together the summer after high school, we did many, many activities together, and we golfed .,. many memories are ours to share forever. Duke v. Carolina. Navy v. Air Force. Becky and Charlie came to visit us in Nashville some years past. Becky was alway the love of his life. He loved his family. He missed his sister and mother at their passing. As life has passed, our lives took us different directions, but he always was and is still 'Charlie' to me filled with wonderful memories. I thank God for this friend, and I ask God's blessings and comfort on Becky and their family and friends.
Jane Teal (Miley)
Shocked and saddened to hear about Charles' death (much too soon for any of us), I remember him well, mainly from our youth group activities at Edenton Street Methodist Church, from grade school through high school. My recollection is of a delightful, soft-spoken, reliable, good (and oh so good looking) young man with a dry sense of humor who was ever in love with Becky. Our group spent a lot of high school time together in church activities including the famous beach trips in the Spring. And of course -- the plays Linda mentioned, though I don't think I was aware of the eye-roll moment. Ever ahead of his time.... I'm so sorry that we didn't take a group picture at the last reuntion when so many of of were together: Charles and Becky, Herb Cobb, Susan Bass, Diane Snakenburg, Ann Bennet, myself, and probably others I don't remember. My deepest condolences to Becky and the rest of his family.