Claude C. Wright, Sr.

Asheville - Claude C. Wright, Sr., 90, went to his eternal rest March 4, 2008 at the WNC Baptist Retirement Home. Mr. Wright was born in Buncombe County on April 2, 1917 to Arthur Pickney Wright and Rachel Ford Wright Keesler. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Elton Bowers Wright who died March 10, 2002. Also preceded in death by brothers; Pern Wright, Fred Wright, Burgin Wright and Frank Wright and sisters; Grace Clark, Macie Duyck, Viola Owen, Leila Wright and great-granddaughter Autumn Elizabeth Wright. Mr. Wright was a member of Erwin Hills Baptist Church where he was a deacon and treasurer for many years. He was also a member of the Woodfin Lions Club from 1958 - 1964 and the NC Service Station Association. At age eleven, his father was accidentally killed and times were hard for him, his mother and remaining brothers on the farm. So many times he would tell how God had blessed him by giving him survival instincts to overcome the physical problems which hindered his walking. He was educated at West Buncombe School and through the years reconnected with many of his old classmates. They would reminisce about the days when they carried a lard bucket with a country ham biscuit and fried apple pie for lunch. In 1944 Mr. Wright opened the Biltmore Amoco station at 785 Biltmore Avenue. He later changed the name to Wrights American Service Station. In the thirty three years he was in business the American Oil Company awarded him many commendations for having the cleanest station and public facilities. Mr. Wright was a man of high integrity and took great pride in his business. He enjoyed a close association with all the merchants in Biltmore and made many life long friends. He was one of the few survivors of that era. Mr. Wright is survived by; sons, Harold Dean Wright, Sr., and wife Betty of Candler and Claude C. Dick Wright, Jr. of Asheville; daughter, Linda W. Culbertson of Leicester; brother, Roy Wright of Goldsboro; grandchildren, Deborah Davis, Harold Dean Wright, Jr. both of Asheville, Mike Culbertson of Leicester, Brian Wright of Charlotte and 7 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Louise Wright of Greenville, TN, Mary Lou Anderson and Mildred Earnhardt both of Greensboro, Jewell Randall of Fletcher and Sarah Jeffries of Gastonia and special friends, Eva Whiteside and Melanie Rice. Claude had many friends at the Baptist Home and used this phrase to describe how he felt about them. Its the friends that we meet on lifes highway that makes the journey so interesting. Thats why I picked you as my friend on this trip The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Dr. William Maddox of Asheville Cardiology Associates, Chris Elmer and the staff of the WNC Baptist Home for their concern and excellent care. Funeral services will be held Thursday - March 6, 2008 at 2:30 P.M. in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with the Rev. Jim Whitted and Mr. Brian Wright officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Harold Wright, Jr., Randy Davis, Alvin Earnhardt, Ronnie Bowers, Tom Culbertson and Jack Blazer. Honorary Pallbearers will be Danny Randall, Paul Wright, Bobby Daves and Andrew Davis. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2:30 P.M Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: WNC Baptist Retirement Home, Asheville Home Only - Activity Department, C/O Chris Elmer, 213 Richmond Hills Drive, Asheville, NC 28806.