JAMES WRIGHT
James Carrol Wright died at his home in White Salmon on Oct. 31, 2001, at the age of 79.
Mr. Wright was born on May 17, 1922, in Olympia, to Robert G. and Grace (Cummings) Wright. He attended elementary school in Olympia and high school in Issaquah. In 1940, Mr. Wright began his college career at Washington State University, where he was a four-year letterman in football and track.
In 1942, Mr. Wright joined the Navy and was Chief Petty Officer in World War II. He was discharged in 1945 and returned to college, graduating in 1948.
On May 12, 1944, he married Helen Ruth Johnson. The couple moved to Stevenson in 1948, where he taught physical education and coached football, track and wrestling. He was the athletic director at Stevenson High School. He was also instrumental in getting the pool built in Stevenson and managed it for many years. Mr. Wright dedicated 35 years to the Stevenson School District, before retiring in 1983.
He was the mayor of Stevenson from 1974 to 1981. Mr. Wright was a member of the United Methodist Church in Stevenson and Ocean Park, Mt. Adams Elks Lodge and the Masonic Lodge.
He loved coaching, hunting, fishing and his grandkids.
Mr. Wright is survived by his wife, Helen, White Salmon; daughters Carolyn Curry, White Salmon, Elizabeth Acton, Bainbridge Island, and Margaret Norelius, Sundance, Wyo.; sister Annette Ditch, Edmonds; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by parents Grace and Robert Wright and brother Albert Wright.
A graveside memorial service will be held in Olympia.
His wife would appreciate receiving any memories and stories people have to share.
Memorials may be given to Hospice of the Gorge or Stevenson High School in care of Gardner Funeral Home, PO Box 390, White Salmon, Wash. 98672, who was in charge of the arrangements.
FRANK CURL
Frank "Cliff" Clifton Curl, 83, a resident of The Dalles and Salem, Ore., died on Oct. 31, 2001.
Mr. Curl was born July 30, 1918, in Lyle, the older of two sons to Frank Eugene and Cora Anderena (Johnson) Curl. He grew up in Lyle and attended school at Lyle for 11 years then transferred to White Salmon High School to play basketball and graduated in 1936. He graduated from Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., in 1940 and then served in the Merchant Marines during World War II.
He married Betty Mieggs in 1941 in Vancouver. She died in 1945, in The Dalles TB Hospital while he was in the service. After the war, he married Betty Lou Jennings on July 10, 1946, in Stevenson. The couple lived in Portland and Tigard, Ore., where Mr. Curl worked for M. Sellers Company. In the mid 1960s, they moved to Auburn and he worked for Weisfield Warehouse.
Mr. Curl and his wife enjoyed raising and showing their Tennessee Walking Horses in Portland and Auburn, attending horse shows on nearly a weekly basis. He also enjoyed golf and traveling.
Upon retiring, the couple sold everything, bought a fifth wheel trailer and traveled for 10 years throughout the southern United States. They resettled in Salem in the mid 1990s and Mrs. Curl preceded him in death in July 15, 1998.
Mr. Curl is survived by his brother James A. Curl, Lyle; nieces Vicke Stephen, Portland, Lynda Durbin, Eagle Creek, and Christy Swales, Portland; good friend Juanita Endicott, The Dalles, Ore.; and foster daughters Patty Jones, Stayton and Dianna Knudsen, Portland.
At his request, no services will be held. Private cremation was held at The Dalles Win-quatt Crematory with Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
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