Long-time Wasconian Chuck Wright passes

Chuck Wright, 86, a long-time resident of Wasco, passed away peacefully at home on June 28. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Chuck was born on Oct. 11, 1936, in Bakersfield. He attended elementary school in Shafter and graduated from high school in McFarland, where he excelled in football.

He also attended Fresno State and Bakersfield College. Around this time, he was married to Linda Kirkpatrick for a few years.

Chuck had four children, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren that he liked to spoil.

"They loved their poppy," Chuck's son, Chad, said.

Chuck moved to Wasco in 1963, where he lived for the rest of his life.

That same year he bought a drive-in, Chuck Burger, that was popular and well-known for his "Big C" burger. There, he met the love of his life, Janice, when she came in to apply for a job and was hired. They went on to share 57 years of marriage.

He had a diverse professional background, working as a potato shed manager and correctional officer at San Luis Obispo. In McFarland, he and his father owned a small grocery store.

In 1978, Chuck sold Chuck Burger and started a career selling cars at Richland Chevrolet in Shafter. His friendliness and outgoing personality served him well in that role.

"He had the gift of gab," his daughter Kristy said.

Chuck retired in 2009.

In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his family. In particular, he loved the beach and traveling. He and his wife took many trips; their favorite was visiting New York City.

He was an avid Dodgers fan and cherished attending games with his family and watching games at home.

Chuck was a man of faith and was part of the congregation at Free Will Baptist Church of Delano, instilling in his children core values so they could succeed in life.

"My father was honest, sincere and a man full of compassion," Chad said.

He passed these traits on to his children.

"He taught us how to be honest and treat people with kindness and respect, to be fair and always maintain your integrity no matter the situation," Chad said.

As a father, Chad said, "He was stern yet loving. He was always somebody full of life and was a man dedicated to his children."

He added, "He showed me how to be a man, treat women and be a father. He impacted me in every way in my life. That goes the same for all my siblings."

Chuck liked the small-town community in Wasco.

"And getting to know everybody. It was just what he liked, going to the coffee shop and visiting with all of the people he came to know over the years," Chad said.

His family remembered that Chuck had a good sense of humor.

"He was funny, very witty and he always had jokes. He was the life of our family parties," Kristy said.

Chuck was a hardworking man. "He went to work every day and provided for his family," she said.

Chad said he was a man of great character and always a joy to talk to.