Garland Wright Passes Away
Garland Lynn Wright passed from this life to the next March 18, 2025, at the age of 80 years, at his home in Blanchard, Oklahoma. Born February 15, 1945, in Hollis, Oklahoma, Garland made the most of his 80 years. He won the love of the prettiest girl in Harmon County, the fierce loyalty of his three sons, and the enduring respect of his friends and neighbors. Trailing in the wake of his passing are a lifetime of memories and a legacy of faith.
Garland was proud to be a Hollis Tiger, a SWOSU Bulldog, a Tennessee Tech Golden Eagle and an honorary Holdenville Wolverine. Upon his graduation from Hollis High School in 1963, Garland enrolled at SWOSU where in 1967 he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. A master’s degree in zoology from Tennessee Tech University followed in 1969.
Garland taught high school biology and physical science for a year in Zephyr Hills, Florida, before he landed his dream job with Oklahoma’s Wildlife Department. In 1971, he moved his young family to Holdenville, Oklahoma, where for 36 years he worked as a fisheries’ biologist and the state’s central region’s supervisor. If you’ve ever caught a crappie in Lake Eufaula, you can thank Garland Wright.
Though Garland was successful in his work life, it was in his family life that he really shined. His brothers and baby sister loved him to the end. His wife Paulette has 60 years’ worth of nicknames, each one given in love. Garland’s boys had a ready playmate and a ball coach, a golf partner and a hunting buddy. His grandkids loved their weekends spent on Grandma and Poppa’s back porch.
Garland wasn’t just a churchgoer; he was truly a disciple of Jesus Christ. His discipleship led him into ministry, where he served as a deacon and later as an elder of the East Main Church of Christ in Holdenville, Oklahoma. He led worship. He taught Bible classes. He made mission trips. He shepherded souls, both within the church and without, dispensing wisdom with humility and grace. Garland embodied the character and the compassion of Christ.
For the last six months, we prayed for Garland to get better. On March 18, 2025, he got best.
Garland was preceded in death by his parents Robert Howard and Lynnie Marvelle Wright. He is survived by his wife, Paulette, of the home; his son Kerry Wright and wife Kami of Blanchard, Oklahoma, Kevin Wright and wife Courtney of Yukon, Oklahoma, Kyle Wright and wife Kari Lyn of Cushing, Oklahoma; grandchildren Kelsie Gibbs and husband Preston, Logan Wright and wife Macy, and Nolan Wright and wife Mattie, Kaedyn, Kaybre and her fiancée Elijah, Kreed, Kyrcee, Harper and Blaine; and great-grandchildren Maddyn, McCoy, Annie and another on the way; brothers Randall and Jerry and Jerry’s wife Susan, and sister Sue and her husband Randy, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Eisenhour Funeral Home in Blanchard. A memorial will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Blanchard Church of Christ, 1200 North Madison Avenue, with Garland’s sons officiating.
