Eldon Ray Wright

Eldon Ray Wright, age 78, passed away peacefully at home on September 15, 2025, surrounded by his loving family in Independence, Kansas. He was born on March 8, 1947, in Hannaford, North Dakota, to Freeman and Thelma Wright.

A proud Vietnam veteran of two tours, Eldon served his county with honor in the United States Army 173rd Airborne Brigade as a Point Man and Paratrooper, a role that reflected his courage and unwavering commitment. He was a member of Teamsters, Local 959. His life was marked by service and adventure--from the battlefields of Vietnam to the rugged roads of Alaska, where he worked as a truck driver on the slope.

Eldon was known for his hard work, dry sense of humor, and resilient spirit. His experiences shaped him into a captivating storyteller, able to hold an audience for hours with tales of grit, heart, and humor, He was respected by his peers and cherished by his family.

He is survived by his son, James Wright; daughter, Gayla Benson; grandchildren Jazzmine (Donald) Miles, Jaylene Davis, Ashley Linton, Michael (Megan) Lawrence of Independence, Kansas, and Brandon Wright of Fairbanks, Alaska; sisters Millie Wright of Fairbanks, Alaska, Georgie (Alan) Ambruster of North Pole, Alaska, and Carol Stoneman of Dayton, Ohio; 15 great-grandchildren; and Jessie, who held a special place in his heart.

Eldon was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wynnel Wright--his "Precious Baby"--his parents Freeman and thelma Wright, and his brother Robert Wright.

His legacy lives on in the stories he told the lives he touched, and the love he gave so freely He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.