Sergeant Woodard “Jerome” Wright, Jr., 85, of Tifton died Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 18, 2011, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Dr. Stephen Webb will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. John Donaldson, Bill Holt, William Holt, Henry Kea, Lonnie Lewis, Ray Phledderer and Wayne Purvis will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 17, 2011, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Sergeant Wright was born on October 10, 1925 in Ben Hill County and was the son of Woodard Jerome Wright, Sr. and Ina Lou Harris Wright, both deceased. He retired from the United States Army Aviation Corps after 21 years. He served in World War II from 1943-1946 and three tours in Vietnam from 1956-1973. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster; the Distinguished Service Medal; the Purple Heart; the Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters and V Device, along with more citations and awards. He served as crew chief for President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Air Force One Helicopter at his Presidential Compound in San Antonio, Texas. He was past commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, an officer in the Elks Lodge and vice-chairman of the Tift County Airport Authority. He was also a member of Springhill Country Club and the First Baptist Church in Fitzgerald.
Sergeant Wright is survived by his wife of 59 years, Wetona “Toni” Roberts Wright of Tifton; two daughters, Deborah Lou Wright of Atlanta and Joann Allen of Saint Simons Island; three grandchildren and their spouses, Dara and Bill Holt of Lake Park, Mary Donaldson Spurlin of Tifton and John and Stacie Donaldson of Omega; and five great-grandchildren, Ashley Spurlin, William Holt, Wesley Holt, Kaytee Donaldson and Sam Donaldson.