Eugene Wright

Eugene “Sonny” Wright was born February 7, 1944 in Rockdale, TX to parents Johnny and Helen Wright. He was the youngest of four boys. His older brothers Johnny Carl, Leroy, and Theodore were a close- knit group in a small- town environment where everyone knew and nurtured the kids in the community. Eugene joined church at an early age.
All the Wright brothers were multi-sport athletes who excelled in football, basketball, and track. They attended Aycock High School during a time in our history prior to integration. Cultural events were often a showcase for talent and local black schools competed regularly in UIL academics, singing, dancing, band, as well as sports. Eugene and fellow schoolmates W.M. Jackson and Willie “Spook” Majors became a famous trio dominating the African American rhythmic technique called “Hambone”. Using their bodies as a drum set Eugene and his friends built up quite a reputation at local talent shows. The Aycock connection ran deep and the students were a family. It was a special time.
As his older brother Leroy headed off to college to pursue basketball, he hoped Eugene would follow, but his path and that of several of his friends led them to the military after graduation in 1962. His high school sweetheart Hope Cook would graduate a year later and start college. They were married May 28, 1964 and Hope became a military wife. They moved from Dayton, Ohio and settled in at Edwards AFB where Eugene had a long career as an Aircraft Engine Technician. Eugene and Hope became the parents of two sons, Loren Eugene Wright, and Todd Patrick Wright. Years later after separating, Hope and the boys moved back to Texas and Eugene remained in California. He lived in Rosamond, CA until his death. Hope and Eugene remained friends until her death in June of this year (2020). Eugene also has a daughter, Cynthia Wright who currently resides in Nevada.

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and his wife Hope. Left to mourn are his sons Loren and Todd, daughter Cynthia; eight grandchildren, Whitney, Brianna, Raven (Loren), Artaysha, Aubrianna, Alexiss, Nehemiah, and Nahiem (Cynthia); one great-granddaughter, McKenzie (Loren); brother-in-law, Thomas Barry Cook (Gwen); and sister-in-law Thelma Wright; Lisa Odom, Monica Odom, Nichole Odom, and her daughter Evangelina.
He also leaves to mourn his passing special friends Randy Stevens, Walt Healy, Jeannie Steven, and Nathan Dixon of California; Aycock classmates; relatives and friends in his hometown of Rockdale, TX, and family and friends in his adopted home of Rosamond, CA. May he rest in peace …