Earl Alfred Wright, 85, formerly of Iola, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at his home, Atria Hearthstone, in Topeka, Kansas. Earl was born in Bloomington, California October 30, 1923, the son of Earl and Ethel (Baker) Wright. He grew up in Iola attending public schools and graduating from Iola High School. He attended Carthage Business College in Missouri and Watch Making School in Kansas City. Earl married Maxine E. Thompson on May 8, 1947 at Bronson, Kansas. He joined the United States Air Force in their first years of marriage. He served in WWII, Korea Conflict and Vietnam War. Their life was filled with travel and friends in the military. They loved the military life until his retirement in August 1969 as a master sergeant with 25 years of military duty. After his retirement they returned to Iola where he worked ten years for Gates Rubber Company. Their life was filled with wonderful friends in Iola, golfing, traveling and bowling. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Iola. His wife preceded him in death on October 9, 2000. In 2005, Earl moved to Topeka to Atria Hearthstone Assisted Living. The wonderful staff there became his second family. Earl left many wonderful memories, and his great sense of humor, his family will miss him as they have their Mother and Grandma, Maxine. SURVIVORS: 1 Son: Ronnie Wright & wife, Connie of Edmond, Oklahoma 1 Daughter: Jan Reichenberger & husband, Charlie of Topeka, Kansas 6 Grandchildren: Aaron Wright, Amy Persechino & husband, Chris, Julie, Chelsey and Adam Reichenberger, Emily Hennes & husband, Joseph 1 Brother: Ben Wright of Independence, Kansas A wonderful friend: Beverly Browne of Great Bend, Kansas A very special Thank You to Dr. Hegde and the Colmery O'Neal VA Hospital staff in Topeka, Kansas and the special personnel at Atria Hearthstone East. FUNERAL SERVICE: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 3, 2009, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola, Kansas. The Rev. Connie Smith will officiate. BURIAL: Highland Cemetery in Iola, Kansas, with military honors. MEMORIAL: Trinity United Methodist Church Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangments. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com.