~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF veteran, DL Capt. Parker Smith Wright
April 6, 1954
~ November 27, 2023
Notice of passing…..retired Delta Air Lines pilot
Captain Parker Smith Wright, age 69.
Parker joined Delta Air Lines 07-18-1986. He is survived by his wife Roxana, and by his
children and their families.
Obituary information can be found online at
https://www.mowells.com/obituaries/Parker-Smith-Wright?obId=30152760#/obituaryInfo
PCN Memorial site
Celebration of Life service is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BazviZYSVeM
Parker Smith Wright Obituary
“A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what
ships are built for.” -Author John A. Shedd
On November 27th, 2023, a great adventurer in
heart and spirit, Parker Smith Wright, 69, unexpectedly embarked on his final
journey home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Parker was born on April 6th, 1954, in Omaha,
Nebraska to Colonel William (Bill) J. Wright and Margie (Parker) Wright. Being
a military family, they moved from Omaha to Newfoundland before landing in
Alexandria, VA for a few years where Col. Wright worked at the Pentagon. Parker
began elementary school at St. Stephen’s School in Alexandria. This is where,
as a young child, he dreamed of flying for Delta Air Lines one day.
The Wright Family then moved to Franklin,
Tennessee where Parker finished elementary school, and then graduated high
school from Battle Ground Academy in 1972. Upon graduation, Parker received the
distinct honors of being accepted to the United States Air Force Academy, The
Naval Academy, and University of Virginia, ultimately choosing the U.S. Air
Force Academy in Colorado Springs. During his time as a Cadet, Parker was a
member of the elite USAFA Parachute Team Wings of Blue, and was a nationally
ranked competitor, accumulating over 500 jumps. Upon graduation in 1976 with a
Bachelor of Science Degree in History, he became a commissioned second
lieutenant in the US Air Force.
After attending pilot training in Columbus,
Mississippi, Parker was stationed at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, WA where
he flew C-141’s and loved the beautiful Washington state scenery. In 1980, he
was reassigned to Vance AFB in Enid, Oklahoma as a T-38 instructor. This is
where he met and married Roxana (Woods) in 1983 at the Vance AFB Chapel in a
military ceremony. He gained 2 young step-children, Kelli and Kyle. His last
assignment in the Air Force brought the new family to McGuire AFB in New Jersey
where he again piloted C-141’s on international missions. In 1985, Kathryn
Leigh was born in Medford, NJ, and completed the family quite nicely with her
spunk, full head of dark hair and her daddy’s full heart wrapped around her
little finger.
In 1986, after 10 years active-duty military
service, and achieving the rank of Captain in the U.S. Air Force, Parker
realized his childhood dream of becoming a Delta Air Lines pilot. Based in
Atlanta for 34 years, he flew domestically, internationally, and was also an
instructor on a number of Boeing aircraft. He ended his career as captain on
the B-777. This afforded many long layovers and fun trips all over the world
for the family.
Parker had a deep love and passion for aviation,
history, sailing and traveling. He was able to realize his dream of sailing for
a few years by proudly owning his Island Packet 485, “Cimarron”, sailing
throughout the British Virgin Islands with Roxana, Kathryn and close friends.
Parker and Roxana made Peachtree City, Georgia
home for 35 years before moving to their current residence several miles south
of Peachtree City in 2021. The past couple of years in their new home, Parker
spent his time mowing the vast lawn, enjoying the beautiful views and peaceful
evenings, mowing some more and working on various projects throughout the home.
He especially enjoyed time with the love of his life, Roxie, entertaining
visits from family and forming new friendships.
Parker remained close with a couple of childhood
friends, and also added many lifelong friendships throughout his life’s
adventures, valuing each relationship abundantly. Above all, Parker loved his
family and cherished time spent with them. He would travel near and far to see
his eight grandchildren participate in sporting events, celebrate birthdays and
graduations or just spend quality time with them. They were his biggest joys
and he would dote and share stories about them every available chance given. He
enjoyed teaching them about all the things he loved and was so proud of each of
them. The kids thoroughly enjoyed listening to his stories and took away many
valuable life lessons such as loving the Lord, learning history, being
trustworthy, working hard and having fun.
Faith and fellowship were important to Parker, and
his relationship with Jesus became stronger by the day. Parker and Roxana were
members of New Hope Baptist South Campus and were embraced by the Carroll
Family Group, which he really enjoyed.
Parker was preceded in death by his parents, Bill
and Margie Wright, his father-in-law Darrell F. Woods and brother-in-law Mark
Woods.
He is survived by, and will be greatly missed by
his loving and devoted wife of 40 years, Roxana; children Kelli (Whitson)
Fleming and husband Rob of Shawnee, Kansas; Kyle Whitson and wife Natalie of
Brooks, GA; Kathryn (Wright) Thomas and husband Jason of McLean, VA; Eight
grandchildren: Elizabeth, Luke and Ethan Fleming; Beau and Audrey Whitson; and
Evelyn, Eleanor and Everett Thomas. He is also survived by sister Sharon
(Wright) Brogden of Little Rock, Arkansas; brother-in-law Todd Woods and wife
Christi of Perry, OK; beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, many close friends and
extended family.
Memorial services will be held at Mowell Funeral
Home, 200 Robinson Rd, Peachtree City, GA 30269 on Friday, December 29, 2023,
at 2pm. The family will receive visitors between 1 and 2 pm. The family
requests that instead of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Parker S.
Wright to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or Samaritan's Purse Ministries.
We welcome you to provide your condolences,
thoughts, and memories on our Tribute Wall.
Mowell Funeral Home & Cremation Service,
Fayetteville, www.mowells.com
