On December 25, 1932, Earl Gene Wright was born in a log cabin in rural Gilmer County, Georgia. The first born child of Norman and Annie Wright grew up in a loving, Christian home with five brothers and sisters on a small farm in Cherokee County, Georgia. He worked very hard as a child, tending the fields, raising chickens and watching over his siblings, all while trying to complete his school studies. In grade school, he sold enough Hasting seed packets to local farmers to win a chemistry set. This was the beginning of his strong love of science, which was later recognized by his Canton High School teacher (Mrs. Huey), who in turn encouraged him to apply for a college scholarship. He won that scholarship to North Georgia College (University) and became the first member of his family to attend college.

While at North Georgia, Earl earned many accolades, including the nickname “Stud” for his quickness on the baseball team. He majored in Physics and became the President of the Physics Club. He was his Platoon Leader and was on the Dean’s List 10 of 12 quarters. He graduated Valedictorian from North Georgia College in 1955. He went on to complete post-graduate studies in Atomic Physics at Vanderbilt University, at the Oak Ridge Laboratories (Manhattan Project) in Tennessee and later in the field of Nuclear Engineering at the University of Delaware.

As part of his military service, Earl moved to Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland in 1957. One Sunday morning in August 1959, he visited Edgewood Baptist Church. A woman in the choir noticed him as he slipped in the back and was seated. At the conclusion of the service, the woman’s mother quickly found Earl and introduced herself. Upon learning he was single, she insisted he meet her daughter, Ann. Eight months later on April 29, 1960, Earl married Ann at Edgewood Baptist Church. They were married 55 years and had three beautiful children, Rob, Gina and Sheila. Over the years, Earl took his family on countless camping trips and instilled a love of God, nature, travel and photography in his children and later, his grandchildren. One of his children’s fondest memories is of how he taught her to love and enjoy math and how he showed her to capture the beauty of the earth and people in photography.

Earl gave of his time to many. He was a member of the Free Masons, Knights Templar and the Gideons. As a Gideon, he gave away countless Bibles and shared his testimony with many. Earl served as Deacon, Chairman of the Deacons, Sunday School teacher, Superintendant at several churches was Youth Sponsor for over thirty churches in the State of Maryland. He assisted with counseling of youth at the TNT program at Aberdeen Baptist Church and started the Good Time Wagon and Puppet Ministry at Havre de Grace Baptist Church in Maryland. He volunteered at several public schools teaching math and computer programs to elementary students in his wife’s classrooms. He also worked with students in photography clubs and coached little league baseball teams.

Over the years, he continued his service to the government in the field of Nuclear Physics in Greenland, Los Alamos, Edgewood Arsenal (Nuclear Defense), Aberdeen Proving Ground and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Washington, DC and later in Atlanta, Georgia. His later years in his career with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission were focused on the licensing of radioactive materials for Nuclear Medicine for hospital and research facilities in the treatment of cancer.

Following his retirement from the US Government, Earl and Ann moved to Blue Ridge, Georgia and returned to the rural life that he so loved growing up. In Blue Ridge, Earl continued his selfless contributions to Big Creek Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge and the Fannin County Historical Society. He placed school markers at many areas of Fannin County to preserve the historical significance to the county, contributed to the printing of photos for several books and completed many photo preservations, assisted with Bible School and photographed special events.

Earl ultimately won his battle against pancreatic cancer and entered heaven’s gates on January 30, 2016.

He leaves behind the love of his life, Ann, his three children: Rob (Carol Ann) Wright of Peachtree City, Gina Parris of Gainesville, Sheila (Mike) Stolorena of Suwanee, Rev. Wayne Parris of Grayson, and six grandchildren: Callie and Sean Wright; Michael and Andrew Stolorena; and Josh and Lyndsay Parris. Earl was preceded in death by his sister, Faye Drake; brother-in-law, Sam West; and great niece, Daphne Wright. He leaves behind, four wonderful siblings, Reva West, Jim (Brenda) Wright, Renay (Jerry) Brown, and Johnny (Suzanne) Wright and son-in-law, Wayne Parris. Earl also leaves behind many kind nieces and nephews.

His favorite Bible verse was ” I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me. ” – Philippians 4:13. Earl talked the talk and walked the walk every day of his life.

He was a humble man from start to finish. A man of few words. A man of honor. A man of integrity. A man of great wisdom. A man to match the mountains. He wasted nothing. He gave everything. He has gone home to be with Jesus and his soul lives forever.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. from the First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge with Rev. Bob Richardson and Rev. Kenneth Bennett officiating. Interment will follow in the Chastain Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors provided by the North Georgia Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home on Friday evening from 5-8 p.m. For those desiring, memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Wright may be made to Gideon’s International at P.O. Box 1375 Blue Ridge, GA 30513. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA is in charge of the arrangements.