Kenneth Wright

Kenneth Ray Doc Wright passed away at his home at Via Christi Village on Nov. 8, 2011 at the age of 96. He joins his beloved wife, Zenna, who preceded him in death on Jan. 2, 2005. A celebration of his life will be held on Sat., Nov. 19th at 1:00 pm at Albright United Church with the Rev. Scott A. Spencer, presiding.

Doc was born on Oct. 11, 1915, to Grover Cleveland Wright and Nellie Carle Wright in Ponca City, Okla. When he was 5 months of age, his mother died from blood poisoning whereupon his grandparents, Charles and Alice Wright, raised him until their deaths. Upon their passing, he became part of his aunt Leona Wright Brunhoebers family. His father, Grover, was killed in an oil rig accident when he was still a youngster.

Doc was a product of the Ponca City School System graduating in 1934. He also attended business college in Ponca City where he met the love of his life, Zenna. He then continued his education at Okla. A M OSU where he majored in chemical engineering. Zenna and Doc were married on February 27, 1938, in Eldorado, Ks, and were married 67 years at the time of her passing. They spent their entire married life in Ponca City, residing in the 900 block of North Seventh Street for over 55 years. In June, 2003, they moved to Via Christi Village Assisted Living and Nursing for their remaining years.

Professionally, Doc had a long, successful career in the oil industry. He was a refinery chemist with Cities Service Oil Company for 30 years and spent another 15 years working as a specialist in the Maintenance Department at Conoco Oil Company where he had the opportunity to inspect oil tankers in Greece, France, England, and the Middle East. He retired at the age of 70 on November 1, 1985.

Away from work, Doc was actively involved with religious, community, and volunteer organizations. He was a charter member of Albright United Methodist Church where he was a Sunday School Secretary for over 30 years. He also served as chairman of the church historical society which published two volumes of church history under his leadership. He continued as honorary chairman until his death. As a longtime volunteer at the Ponca City Regional Medical Center, he worked in the cardiac care unit. Together he and Zenna had a combined total of over 9,000 hours as volunteers. In addition, he was active in the political process as a precinct official in several capacities for over 42 years. He also was a charter member of the Pioneer Genealogy Society which he followed until his health prevented him from doing so. A favorite activity was his dog obedience work where he taught 2 classes a year for 32 years teaching many Ponca City dogs and their masters the finer points of life.

On the sports front, Doc also had a lengthy legacy of success as well as in giving back to the community. For over 40 years he was involved in softball, Cub Scout Baseball, junior baseball and American Legion baseball as a player, official, coach, and score keeper. For 20 of those years, he was a registered high school baseball umpire. He also helped organize and promote the YMCA Grade School Athletic Program, and as a coach, his teams won three State Championships. In the late 70s he was named Mr. Baseball by the Lions, Kiwanis, and the Rotary clubs receiving a plaque which was a special treasure of his. He was recently featured in an article in the Ponca City News in which he was photographed with his plaque. And then, there were his beloved Sooners whom he followed passionately until he was no longer able to do so.

Doc is survived by his daughter, Judith Wright Clemmons and her husband, Alfred, Albuquerque, NM his son, Philip Wright and his wife, Diane, Wichita, Ks grandchildren Gregory T. Petre Joel C. Wright and Lesley Wright Levine greatgrandchildren Brittany E. Petre, Michael Petre, Dylan Stephens, Asher and Evan Levine, and Gabriela Wright his sister and her husband, Thelma and John Lansdown, Ponca City and sisterinlaw, Claribel Deda, Pratt, Ks. In addition, he is survived by several nieces and a nephew including Ponca City residents Kay Anthony and Carol Green. He was preceded in death by his brother and sisterinlaw, Grover C. and Sue Wright, and his sister and her husband, Louise and Harold Allen as well as his grandsons Jeffrey D. Hester and Kevin M. Petre.

A peaceful, loving man of intelligence and integrity, Doc took great pride in his family who is his greatest legacy. We will all miss, and warmly remember, his compassion, wisdom, astute advice, and above all, his love. Godspeed, dear father, you will live in our hearts forever.

To all of you who remained faithful companions to the end, to his excellent caregivers at Via Christi Village, and to the caring staff at Image Care Hospice, we thank you. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kenneth Doc Wright Memorial Fund at Albright United Methodist Church, 125 S. Palm, Ponca City, Ok. 74601.