OLIVER CHARLES WRIGHT

Oliver Charles Wright, age 75, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, April 4, 2010, at the St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo.

He was born June 4, 1934, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Lester Wright and Agnes Knoblich Wright.

Oliver attended Fort Scott High School and later graduated from Faith Bible Academy in Camdenton, Mo.

He married Beverly Smith on Oct. 30, 1955, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle in Fort Scott, Kan.

Oliver later attended Bible Colleges at both Fort Worth, Texas and Omaha, Neb.

Oliver enjoyed working with church youth and started a youth program in Roanoke, Texas and headed a youth group while in Omaha.

Mr. Wright later started working for H. & R. Block Tax services and served as a district manager in Parsons, Kan., and later Colorado Springs, Colo. He retired from H. & R. Block with nearly 30 years of service.

Oliver was an artist who enjoyed drawing and painting. He was also an award winning wood carver.

In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoyed traveling, reading and genealogy.

He was currently the Vice-President of the Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County and had served as director of the Ralph Richards Museum. He was also active with the Old Fort Genealogical Society and the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly, of the home in Fort Scott; two daughters, Sherry Lynn Griffing and husband, John, Niceville, Fla., and Penny Kay Cimino and husband, Dean, Fountain, Colo.

Also surviving are a brother, Ernest Wright and wife, Betty, Branson, Mo., and Mary Usher, Seattle, Washington; and five grandchildren, Nathaniel and Jeremy Cimino, Nicholas Wright and wife, Noel, Willy Bolander and wife, Kristen, and Caleb Griffing.

He was preceded in death by a son, Terry Wayne Wright, a daughter, Vicky Ann Wright and a grandson, Daniel Levi Bolander.

Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Historic Preservation Association or the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kan., 66701.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at www.cheneywitt.com.