Charles Edwin Wright

Charles Edwin Wright, 88, peacefully passed away on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at his home in Sparks, Oklahoma, surrounded by his family.

Charles was born on July 1, 1935, to Julius “Jude” Edwin and Glenna North Wright on their farm in Sparks, Oklahoma. He was Jude and Glenna’s firstborn, and the fourth of six children following the adoption of three older siblings.

After graduating from Sparks High School in 1953, Charles went to work with L&S Bearing until 1973; then Federal National Bank; later joining Eaton Corp., from which he retired in 1991 after 13 years. Following his retirement, he continued to work the family farm, to which he and his family had moved in 1967 after residing in Del City for a time.

Charles married Sarah Alice Newnam, also of Sparks, on December 10th, 1955. Together, they had two sons: Michael Edwin, born 1962; and Richard Charles, born 1966. Charles and Sarah welcomed their first grandchild in 1985 and the first great-grandchild in 2007.

Charles was never content to rest, and so gained a great variety of experiences throughout his life. He was enlisted in the Army Reserves for ten years, serving one year of active duty from 1961 to 1962 as a Staff Sargent at Fort Chaffee. In 1970, he helped organize the Sparks Volunteer Fire Department and served as Fire Chief for twenty-five years until his retirement in 1995. Additionally, he served on the Lincoln County District One Water Board for many years and was a long-serving member of the White Dove Cemetery Board. In addition to these positions, Charles was known to his community as a dependable and resourceful friend, always willing to help when asked.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Jude and Glenna Wright, his sister Sue, and his adopted siblings Melba and Grant. He is survived by his wife Sarah; sister Judy and adopted sister Vella; sons and daughters-in-law Michael and Royce, and Richard and Ann; grandchildren Devon Wyant, Drew and husband Tim Files, Ryan Wright and partner Sherrie Strickland, Patrick Wright, and Peter Wright; six great-grandchildren; and many relatives and innumerable friends.

Services for Charles will be at 2:00 PM, on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Parks Brothers Funeral Service Chapel. His family will be greeting visitors from 5:00 – 8:00 PM, Tuesday, October 24, at the funeral home. Interment will be in White Dove Cemetery, Sparks. Condolences can be expressed at www.parksbrothers.net.