Chester Wright

Chester Welty Wright passed away on January 13, 2018 at the age of 101. He was born to A.C. and Bessie Arnn Wright on September 28, 1916 on a farm near Shallowater, Texas in the Panhandle. He attended Shallowater Public Schools and graduated in May 1934. He graduated with a BA degree from Texas Tech in 1938 and a MA degree in 1940. \r\n\r\nHe began teaching social studies in Barstow, Texas in September 1940. He resigned in January 1942 and joined the US Army Corps. He trained at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock. In June 1942, he was transferred to Miami Beach, Florida to attend Air Corps Officer Candidate School. Upon graduation from OCS, he was assigned as an Instructor, a position he held until November 1945. \r\n\r\nPauline Burkholder of Barstow and he were married on October 18, 1942 in Miami Beach. While in the service, they lived in San Antonio, Texas and Montgomery, Alabama. Polly returned to Barstow in late 1945 and Chester was trained first for the European Theater and then for the Pacific Theater. He ultimately landed in Trinidad in late November 1945, where he helped to close Walker Air Force Base. He was discharged from active duty as a Captain in February 1946 and returned to Barstow. Their only child, Cherry, was born in October 1946.\r\n\r\nHe was offered the Superintendent of Schools position in Barstow upon returning. In addition to his administrative duties, he taught social studies and coached football and basketball. He had a real talent as a social studies teacher, as he was easily able to make connections between current events and history. He served as President of the Texas Small Schools' Association in 1966-1967. In 1969, the Barstow and Pecos schools consolidated and he served as Assistant Superintendent until his retirement. He spent his career of 39 years dedicated to the education of young people and committed to providing opportunities for them to learn and grow. He had a legacy of being firm but caring, and was respected by his students. He maintained contact with students and teachers from those days over the years, with some in attendance at his 100th birthday celebration in 2016.\r\n\r\nChester, known by many as Welty, served as Barstow City Secretary for 10 years and as Mayor for 20 years. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church in Barstow and in Harper, after retiring to the Hill Country. He and Polly purchased a home at Tierra Linda in 1978. They loved to travel, particularly in the Southwest U. S. He had a love of archeology and an interest in the study of American Indians. He remained an avid learner throughout his life. Polly passed away on June 17, 1997. He moved to River Point Assisted Living Center in September 2017. \r\n\r\nChester attributed his long life to clean living, exercising, setting goals and never giving up. He exercised regularly at the Center for Fitness, where he made many friends, until he was confined to a wheelchair at 100 years of age. He spent part of each day at River Point exercising in his wheelchair. He was basically a quiet man who appreciated his life but only in his latter years did he become someone who obviously enjoyed it.\r\n\r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Skeex Wright, his sister Nina Shipp, and his wife Polly. His daughter, Cherry Wright and her husband, Jim Bradford, of Tierra Linda Ranch, and numerous nieces and nephews survive him. He held a special place in his heart for his nephew Bob Hestes of Arlington, Texas who was always available when he needed him.\r\n\r\nThe family is indebted to the loving caretakers that assisted him in the last years, including Connie Dominguez, Michele Singleton, Edna Sifuentes, Marilu Sarabia and Mandy Sheets, and to the staff at River Point.\r\n\r\nNo services will be held locally. He will be laid to rest alongside Polly, his wife of 55 years, in the Barstow Cemetery in Barstow, Texas.\r\n\r\nMemorial contributions may be made to his favorite charities, Happy Hill Farm, 3846 N. Highway 144, Granbury, Texas 76048 or the Presbyterian Childrens' Homes and Services, 5920 W. William Cannon Dr., Bldg.3, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78749.