Robert Lee Wright

Robert Lee Wright, age 89, passed away at home on January 6, 2009. A native of Putnam County, Tennessee, he had resided in Cleveland for 57 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Denny and Bessie Phy Wright, brother, Hershel Wright and beloved wife of 49 years, Lucille Hawkins Shanks Wright.

Survivors include a daughter, Martha Shanks Dorflinger, son in law, John Dorflinger, Jr. and grandson, John Dorflinger, III all of Knoxville, TN.

He was educated in the public schools of Cookeville, TN and studied engineering at Tennessee Tech. During WWII he was a flight instructor for the Army Air Force and was employed as a pilot for Chicago Southern Airlines. He was a veteran of WWII having served in the Pacific in the 6th Army and later as an Engineering Officer in the 8th Army during the occupation of Japan. He retired from Active Army Reserve in 1965 as a Lt. Colonel.

After WWII, he earned a L.L.B. from Vanderbilt University College of Law and worked for several federal agencies including the Corps of Engineers. In 1956, he joined the legal department at Bowater Southern Paper Corporation. In 1970, he became General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. He served on the Board of Directors of Bowater and several affiliated companies. After his retirement in 1986 he established a limited practice of law in Cleveland. He was a member of the American, Tennessee and Bradley County Bar Associations and was a former president of the local organization. He served on the Advisory Boards of Liberty Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Bowater Employees Credit Union and the Stonecastle Property Assn.

He attended Broad Street Methodist Church and was a member of the Kelly Class. Other affiliations include the Elks Club, the VFW, the American Legion and the Military Officers Association. He was a charter member of the Walden Club and a long time member of the Cleveland Country Club where he was an avid golfer.

Visitation for Robert Wright will be from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2009, at Grissom Funeral Home in Cleveland with a prayer service conducted by Rev. Debbie Stokes to follow. On Saturday, January 10, 2009, a visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 Noon C.S.T. at the Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home in Cookeville, TN and a graveside service at 12:30 p.m. C.S.T. at Algood Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Charles McCaskey of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Cookeville officiating. Mr. Wright will be interred with full military honors. He will be laid to rest along side five generations of his family.

Local funeral arrangements are being handled by Grissom Funeral Home. Phone 423.476.8575 for more information.