Charles William Wright III

Charles William Wright III

1946-2023

Charles “Charlie” William Wright III- a father, grandfather, husband, friend, an avid fly fisherman, an engineer, a poet, a storyteller, and a steward of nature died December 20, 2023 in Denver, Colorado surrounded by his loving family, leaving behind a rich tapestry of a life well-lived at the age of 76.

Charlie was born in Houston, Texas on December 23, 1946 to Mary Virginia Wright and Charles Wright. He graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma. Charlie married Beverly Patterson in 1969, and together they raised their two loving daughters, Wendy and Christy in Norman Oklahoma. He worked for the United States Postal Service and continued his career for the USPS Leadership Organization and represented the US Government all throughout Asia in the mid-70s and 80s. He developed and managed training systems for the automated mail processing and mechanical innovations. The USPS National Technical Training Center was located in Norman since 1969 and he was at the helm of the mechanical innovation and the development of the national 771,000 square-foot training facility that opened in Norman in 1988. He retired after 35 years.

Charlie was a devoted father to his daughters, and dedicated son to his beautiful mother and family. He was an avid fly fisherman making his own flies while also skillfully navigating waters, weaving tales of his adventures as a captivating storyteller. In addition, he was a mechanical enthusiast of all things fast when it came to motorcycles and sport cars. In his quiet time, he served his community by mastering his role as Santa Claus and volunteered his time to organizations that provided services for those in need. He was also a licensed Ham Radio Operator building radios from scratch and talking to people all around the world over the airwaves. When not working with his hands or spending time with his family, Charlie enjoyed good music, camping, sipping a good tequila or an occasional Cuban cigar.

In the early 2000s, he married the love of his life Cheri Ortiz-Bowen. Together with their blended families, they laughed, loved, traveled, hiked Alaska, and operated a turn of the century bathhouse that catered to the nature enthusiasts and the local medicinal waters of The Platte National Park. During this time, he resumed his love for motorcycles and his quest for the “perfect ride”. His greatest personal accomplishment came with speed at the infamous Bonneville Salt Flats and Speedway located in Northwest Utah where he drove his CPR Super Honda Blackbird 3 times where he reached a topped-out speed of +/- 167 MPH!

Charlie’s enduring legacy lies in his captivating storytelling, artistic flair, distinguished beard, profound wisdom, insatiable curiosity, and a generous smile that could warm any heart. His genius intellect and unwavering work ethic set him apart, making everyone feel like the most important person in the room. Charlie possessed a remarkable ability to connect with people on a profound and positive level, living his life to the fullest through appreciation for simple pleasures. In the end, he imparted lessons of love and grace, graciously allowing us to reciprocate the teachings and gifts he so generously shared with all of us.

His memory will forever be cherished by his wife Cheri Wright, his children Wendy (Wright) Armstrong, son-in-law Chris Armstrong, Christy (Wright) Richardson, son-in-law Scott Richardson, his step-children Joe and Lisa Ortiz, Tara and James Day, Aimee and Scott Gulseth, Christen and Devon Gingrich, Matt and Angie Bowen, and Zach Bowen. Also surviving are fourteen beloved grandchildren, Ava and June Richardson, Cale and Aadison Griffin, Isabella and Olivia Ortiz, Jeremy and Nathan and Corey Day, Cydney and Peyton Gulseth, Blake Collymore, Ike and Zoe Bowen, as well as his sister-Rebecca Swint, nephews, cousins, other extended family members and dear friends.

The family members wish to thank Parker Adventist Hospital for its masterful care and Horan & McConaty for their tender compassion in the final preparations.

An outdoor celebration of life is currently being planned in the spring to honor his love for nature and our family will share details in the coming weeks.

In his loving memory and passion/ importance for our US National Parks, please consider a tree dedication gift & contribution to national and community reforestation in his honor.

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