Roderick Wright, 58, of Tucson, Ariz., and a former Baker City resident, died July 22, 2003.
His funeral was July 26 at Desert Sunset Funeral Home at Tucson.
Roderick was born Aug. 31, 1945, at Ontario to James and Opal McClellan Wright. Growing up he worked in the family bee business, producing and distributing honey. He was a 1964 graduate of Baker High School.
He joined the U.S. Army and later served in the National Guard. He was a graduate of Eastern Oregon State College (now Eastern Oregon University) at La Grande. He taught and coached in the Wallowa School District for 15 years. He taught many grades and subjects, including art, but particularly enjoyed his earth science lectures and had a wonderful collection of rocks and minerals.
In 1987, he moved to Eugene and continued teaching science at Cottage Grove High School until his retirement. He received his master’s degree in education from Portland State University in 1994.
Being an athlete, Roderick enjoyed and participated in many fun runs and marathons. He also enjoyed hiking with his friends in the Wallowa and Cascade mountains.
He also enjoyed traveling and exploring geology in other states. He fell in love with Arizona and moved to Tucson in 2001. He was a member of the Tucson Museum of Art, Desert Museum and the Botanical Gardens. He thoroughly enjoyed sharing southern Arizona with friends and family who came to visit. He will be remembered as a kind and gentle man with a sweet spirit who had a wonderful influence.
Survivors include his loving wife, Susan; and daughters, Kyra of Seattle, Wash., and Melissa of Richland, Wash.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister.
Memorial contributions may be sent in his name to Faith Academy, 2551 W. Orange Grove Road, Tucson, AZ 85741.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, August 15, 2003
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
