Jack Thatcher Wright, 90, of Meadville, passed away Saturday, July 7, 2018, at Meadville Medical Center. Jack was born in Detroit, MI, on October 13, 1927, a son of the late Morris “Birney” and Hortense (Gerberaux) Wright. On November 25, 1950, Jack married Ellen Louise Gelco; she preceded him in death on April 3, 2013.
A 1945 graduate of the Morgantown, WV High School, Jack attended Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. His education was interrupted by his military service. … Read More » He served as a Staff Sergeant in the US Air Force and served 26 months in Germany.
He was later recalled to active duty from inactive reserve during the Korean War. He returned to Cornell and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations in 1953. Jack joined PPG’s Chemical Division in 1954 as Personnel Trainee at the Natrium, WV, chemical complex.
He was appointed labor relations director there in 1957, and he moved to the Beaumont, TX plant as Director of Industrial Relations in 1963. Jack was next assigned to PPG’s Pittsburgh General Office in the Contract and Supply Division of the firm’s Glass Division. He became Director of Employee Relations at the Meadville facility in 1968.
Jack was moved to the PPG Glass Research Center in Harmarville, PA in 1976. He was later transferred to the Mansfield, OH, PPG plant as Director of Human Relations. Jack and Ellen retired to Fearrington, NC and lived there for many years until relocating back to Meadville in 2010.
Jack was an avid fisherman traveling to Canada annually for over 50 years. He was a master gardener of both vegetables and flowers often sharing his bounty and expertise with his neighbors. Jack was actively involved in many organizations including Boy Scouts of America and United Way.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen G. Wright and a sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Jim White and sister-in-law Elizabeth Flegal. Jack is survived by a son Gary Wright (Tari) of Palm Bay, FL, Gary’s two sons, Joshua Wright (fiance Courtney Lewando), Eric Wright (Kim), and their son Jack. He is also survived by daughter Terry Hood (Jerry) of Conneaut Lake and their three children Elyse Hood, Lindsey Whiteside (Josh), and Ashley Hood (significant other Chris Costa).
Jack is also survived by daughter Carol Wright of Columbus, OH. He is further survived by his former daughter in law Donna Halleran (Paul), a sister Carol Murphy (Tom), a niece Joy Malinowski as well as several other nieces and nephews. Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Meadville Public Library, 848 N. Main St., or Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute, 16792 Conneaut Lake Road, both in Meadville, PA, 16335. Arrangements are under the direction of STEPHEN P. MIZNER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC. , 404 CHESTNUT ST.
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