George “Tom” Wright passed away on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009 at Lakeland Hospital in Niles.

Tom’s life began on March 20, 1937 in Cassopolis, the son of George Arthur and Mary (Fosdick) Wright. He is the fifth generation of the Wright family, who were original settlers of Cass County in the 1820s. Tom was a 1955 graduate of Cassopolis High School and was fortunate to have studied agriculture under Mr. Ross Beatty. He received his FFA State Farmer Degree in March 1956.  As a young man, Tom showed horses in 4-H and later became a 4-H leader.

On Sept. 30, 1961, he was united in marriage to Arlene Jessup at the Federated Church in Dowagiac. Tom was a dairy and grain farmer in LaGrange Township, just as his father had been and many generations of the family. He was proud of his ancestry and to be able to continue to own and operate both the Townsend and Wright Sesquicentennial Farms.  He served his country for eight years in the Michigan National Guard 246th Tank Battalion based in Dowagiac. He was a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association and the American Milk Producers, Inc. For many years Tom would lead the harness race horses at the Cass County Fair and never lost his love of horses. Tom was a member of the Dowagiac First United Methodist Church.

His greatest joy was his family, whether working side by side on the farm or giving Gator rides to his grandchildren.

Tom’s loving family includes his wife of 48 years. Arlene Wright, of Cassopolis; his son, Stephen T. (Betsy Kephart) Wright, of Cassopolis; his daughter, Denise M. (Gene) Stockwell, of Dowagiac; grandchildren, Sarah Wright, Mary Wright, Elizabeth Stockwell, Jonathan Stockwell and Olivia Stockwell; and his sister, Meriella (Richard) James, of Marcellus.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

His family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Yazel-Clark (formerly McLauchlin-Clark) Funeral Chapel. His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Dowagiac First United Methodist Church led by the Rev. John Kasper.  Tom will be laid to rest in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Cassopolis. Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to Cassopolis FFA or Dowagiac First United Methodist Church.

Please sign his guestbook and leave a memory of Tom at www.yazel-clark.com.