Andrew Allen Wright

Funeral Services for Andrew Allen Wright, 54, Clinton resident will be held 2:00 P.M., Monday, April 8, 2013 in the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, 28th and Modelle, officiated by Bishop Dan Turner and burial will follow in the Elk City Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home. Andrew Allen Wright was born March 22, 1959 to Alene Mae (Pate) and Jackie Dale “J.D.” Wright in Altus, Jackson county Oklahoma. The small Jackson County town of Duke, Oklahoma was the backdrop for most of Andy’s life, where he said, “Birds always sang Walk Disney tunes. It was Mayberry-like setting and Andy lived like Opie Taylor. Running around the community where you minded your elders, opened the door for ladies and knew to come home by suppertime. Andy was blessed to have the influence of both sets of grandparents in his life. At one time he could visit Grandpa and Grandma Pate at their gas station and trot a few feet to Grandpa and Grandma Wright’s home. He knew everyone and everyone knew him. He even had a teacher who once stated “Andy, I taught you grandma, your dad, your mom and now you, I think it’s getting time for me to retire!” Surely, her comment wasn’t a reflection on family classroom behavior? Duke was indeed a tightknit, caring community. Andy attended the Methodist Church that was small enough that his mom Alene was usually his Sunday School Teacher throughout his youth. When Andy was small his parents divorced and this of course brought change to Andy’s life. His mom worked on Altus Air Force Base. Grandma and Grandpa Pate kept Andy with them while his mom was at her job. He always talked about how he treasured every moment he was able to spend with his mom. Alene met a dashing young Airman named Robert Macaulay who upon their second date made sure Andy accompanied them. Alene and Bob married in 1968 and Bob moved his new family to his native New York where Andy was welcomed into the Macaulay can as one of their own. Andy has many experiences that would enrich his life while living in New York. But, he always missed Duke and the carefree life he’d lived- fishing at Turkey Creek and playing baseball with the kids he’d practically known before he was born! After 4 years in New York they moved back to Oklahoma with an additional family member in tow: Robert Macaulay Jr., “Bobby”. It would take awhile for Andy’s accent to “re-okie” but was the homecoming ever sweet! Andy rejoined the class he started with in Head Start. Incidentally, these classmates hold a special place in Andy’s heart, they are supportive, loving and caring friends that are really more like family to this day. After graduation in 1977 Andy enrolled at Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC) on a baseball scholarship. After attending WOSC for one year Andy transferred in 1979 to SWOSU in Weatherford majoring in Economics. In 1979 he met Sandra Lynn Queenan “Sandy” his roommates’ girlfriend who after 3 years finally smartened up and realized the wonderful opportunity the Lord had placed before her in Andy. They were married on July 30th 1983 in the First United Methodist Church in Weatherford. In 1984 Andy was converted and baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Clinton. They would have their marriage sealed for time and all eternity in the Dallas Texas Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day-Saints, July 26 1985. Andrew has held many callings in the church the latest being that of second counselor to the Bishop in 2013. Andy had a rock solid testimony of the Gospel and never minded sharing it through his word or example. In 1985 Andrew and Sandra accepted their first teaching jobs at Sweetwater schools. Andy was the 7-12 Math teacher, the couple would remain in Sweetwater where their son, Christian Maurice Wright was born February 15th, 1988: which was the “Greatest Event in world history.” A direct quote from Andrew! In the Spring of 1988 Andy took a job across the border in Briscoe, Texas where he was the 6-12 Math teacher. Sandra stayed at home with Chris. In 1991 both took a positions back across the border at Reydon where Andy was the 7-12 Math Teacher for eight years. They bought a home in Weatherford in 1999 and Andy having finished his degree in School Administration was Carnegie Jr. High Principal for 2 years. In 2001 they moved to Guymon Oklahoma for 5 years that were fast paced and challenging as well as rewarding. Andrew was the Principal of Guymon Central Jr. High. In 2006 after Chris’s graduation from Guymon High School they moved yet again to Andy’s final home in Clinton. Andrew was the 7-12 Math teacher and Assistant Principal at Taloga Jr. High and High School. Andrew accepted job at Mangum Jr. High as Principal in July 2009 until April of 2010 when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. After a sigmoidoscopy Andy was Medically retired from education and has spent the last 3 years of his life being an advocate for early colonoscopy screenings-reminding people he knew and some he didn’t to “GET TESTED1” One friend has stated “Andrew tried to live like Jesus; going about and doing good,” In his last three years he helped friends he hadn’t seen in ages, assisting them in any way he could. Andy once shared his philosophy, “When it comes down to it-all that really matters is how we treated each other.” Andrew passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at the age of 54. Andrew leaves behind wife Sandra of the home in Clinton, his son Christian Wright of Weatherford, mother Alene Macaulay, brother Robert Macaulay and wife Jennifer. Mother-in-law Wanda Queenan of Elk City, Brother and Sister-in-law and Tonia Turner of Clinton, 5 nieces, 1 nephew, 2 great-nieces and 2 great-nephews and host of loving relatives, friends and students. Preceding him in death are his Paternal Grandparents: Jimmie and Jack Wright, Maternal Grandparents: Alma and Maybelle Pate, father Jackie Dale Wright and dad Robert Macaulay Sr.