Clarence Wright

Clarence H. Wright, 94, of Columbia Falls, formerly of Great Falls, died of natural causes at the Montana Veterans Home on Dec. 10, 2011.

Clarence was born Feb. 18, 1917, in Traer, Iowa, the son of Thomas and Winifred (Rhodes) Wright. He worked on the family farm during high school and then graduated from Coe College, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

After joining the Army, he was transferred to Great Falls in 1940, where he met and married Evelyn Jane MacDonald. They lived in Great Falls until moving to the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls in 2007.

Clarence served in the Army during World War II, serving in Egypt. Following the war, he returned to Great Falls, where he worked as secretary treasurer for Montana Flour Mills and then for the city of Great Falls, until his retirement.

He volunteered for SCORE and assisted many people with their tax returns. Clarence continued to manage the family farm north of Great Falls throughout his entire life. He was an active member of Sunrise Presbyterian Church, in Great Falls.

During their 64 years of marriage, Clarence and his wife Jane raised exotic varieties of daylilies and won many blue ribbons at the Montana State Fair. He was considered a local daylily expert and was sought out for his expertise in gardening techniques. He also collected antiques and other collectibles.

Clarence was very involved in many Montana Veterans Home crafts and activities. He actively supported many charities. He discovered his artistic side while residing at the Veterans Home and recently won a blue ribbon for an original tile footstone at the Northwest Montana Fair in Kalispell. He enjoyed the bingo nights and became a quite competitive player.

Clarence was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn Jane; his sister Esther; and his brother Harold.

Survivors include his children, Jim and Margaret Wright, of Everett, Wash., Bob and Lisa Wright, of Savage, Minn., Steve and Kathy Wright, of Columbia Falls, and Margaret and John Winters, of Richland, Wash.; 10 grandchildren; and one great grandson.

Funeral services took place Dec. 15, 2011, at Columbia Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Montana Veterans Home Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 250, Columbia Falls MT 59912 or a charity of choice.