Arthur G. Wright completed his life’s journey on November 9, 2017.  Arthur (Artie) was born November 1, 1942 in Great Falls, MT.  When Artie was around 7 years old the family moved to Bellingham, WA where he lived until enlisting in the Navy at age 17.  He served his 4 years then promptly enlisted in the Army.  Artie was a certified helicopter mechanic and did two tours in Vietnam totaling 40 months.  He retired after 20 years and was awarded many commendations, ribbons and medals including the bronze star and purple heart. Artie headed back to Bellingham where he worked as a carpenter building houses in the area, and in between he played the garage grease monkey and rebuilt many vehicles. In the early 90’s he began his annual snow bird ventures to Yuma, AZ until he met his wife April who he would tell people that “she clipped my wings.”   He and April moved to Long Lake, bought a fishing boat and became avid fishing partners until his stroke in 2008.  That didn’t stop him from enjoying time with his family, listening to music or an occasional trip to the local casino. He got lucky now and then.  He was a very affectionate and tender hearted man who wept tears of joy when the family gathered together.  Artie was preceded in death by his mother Frances Spreadborough.  He is survived by his wife April (Rhoades) Wright; sons Tyler Rhoades of Spokane and Roger Wright, wife Emily and grandchildren Jenny, Kandice, Noah and A.J. Wright of Bellingham, WA., sister, Mary Blackwell of Bellingham; brothers Richard Wright of Bellingham, Gordon (Deena) Hamilton of Lynden, WA, Step-sister Cheryl Owens of Bellingham, and step-brother Ronald Hamilton of W. Palm Beach, FL. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 22nd at 11:00 am at Hennessey Funeral Home 2203 N Division. Inurnment will follow with full military honors at 1:30pm at the Washington State Veteran’s Cemetery in Medical Lake.

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