Freeman J. Wright

Freeman J. Wright passed away in South Bend, Indiana on February 4, 2016, after a brief illness, at age 81.

Freeman was born in Bozeman, Montana to John Chapel Wright and Flora (Davis) Wright on January 22, 1935. He attended grade school and high school in Montana and was the first third generation graduate of Montana State University in 1955. After service as an officer in the United States Naval Reserve in Florida, Grand Turk Island, and San Francisco, he returned to Montana State University for a master’s degree in Social Science before obtaining a doctorate in Political Science from the Johns Hopkins University. In 1963, he joined the faculty of California State University, Fresno. He retired in 2004.

Professor Wright’s specialization was Latin American Politics. He and his family lived in Chile, Ecuador, and Argentina, and he did research also in Guatemala, Venezuela, and Costa Rica. He co-authored a book on Latin American politics as well as two monographs and a number of articles. He received his share of professional awards. His favorite was an honorary professorship at the Central University of Ecuador.

Far more important to him were his wife and family. Sally Sabo Wright surprised him and numerous other people by agreeing to marry him (1960). She preceded him in death in January 1998. They were blessed with two sons and a daughter: Bradley Wright and his wife Cathy Wright of Storrs, Connecticut; Susan Carozza and her husband Paolo Carozza of South Bend, Indiana; and John Wright and his wife Nancy Wright of Carlsbad, California. Bradley is a university professor; Susan worked in Latin America; and John was a naval officer. Thus, the children replicated key parts of their father’s life. Again far more importantly, they are married and have presented him with eight grandchildren: Joshua and Gabriel Wright of Storrs; Giuliana, Giancarlo, Sofia, Matteo and Isabella Carozza of South Bend; and Daniella of Carlsbad.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, February 12, 2016 St. Pius X Catholic Church, 52553 Fir Road, Granger, Indiana. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to Mass.  Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 19, 2016 at Belmont Memorial Park, Fresno, CA.  Palmer Funeral Home-Hickey Chapel, South Bend is assisting the family.

Remembrances may be made to the Salvation Army Indiana Division Headquarters, 3100 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

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