Services for Mr. Lucius M. Wright, Jr.of Hallsville are pending with Downs Funeral Home. Mr. Wright passed away November 9, 2011 in Longview. Lucius M. Wright, Jr. Lucius M. Wright, Jr., husband, father, gambler, giver, grandfather, and handy man, died Wednesday, November 9, 2011. He was 76. His death, the result of complications from a courageous battle with lung cancer, leaves a family in mourning. From September 26, 1935, the day he was born, until early this November, Mr. Wright fought the disease with the spirit, determination, and wry sense of humor that he'll forever be remembered for. He developed these personality traits growing up in Marshall, Texas, where he met his eventual wife and soul mate- his high school sweetheart, Waurene Wilson. After graduating from Marshall High School in 1954, Mr. Wright enlisted in the United States Army in the fall, later that November. Honorably discharged in August of '56, and with nothing to stand in his way, he married Waurene on January 25, 1957. in Marshall. They were together, inseparable, for 54 wonderful years. Known to friends and family as an expert handyman- he could fix anything, according to his daughter, Patti - Mr. Wright put those skills to use in the private sector as well. He worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for 32 years and in a variety of disciplines. A jack-of-all-trades, he described his favorite position at Southwestern as that of Estimate Assigner. He retired in 1988, and spent the rest of his days reveling in his passions: Cowboys football, Astros baseball, woodworking, high stakes, and leisure and travel. A betting man, he - and Waurene- was often at his happiest, and most at home, in Shreveport, at the casinos, enjoying the nightlife, enjoying good company, enjoying a cocktail (or two or more), stargazing, laughing, and riverboat gambling. While at Southwestern Bell, Mr. Wright once received a certificate for a notable distinction: 25 years of perfect attendance. Such an accolade still stands as a testament to Lucius M. Wright as a man: In it laid his enthusiasm for his work, his lust for life, and his sense of duty and commitment to the people who counted on him. He never gave up. He never quit showing up. If it were up to him, his attendance would still be perfect. Lucius is survived by his wife, Waurene, his children Mark Wright and wife Carol of Harmony, Patti Flowers and husband Mitchell of Marshall, his brothers, Gene Nash and wife Wanda of Gladewater, Bobby Bogue and wife Sherry of Colorado, and his grandchildren, Shannon McFarland, Mitch Wright and Kenneh Wright, great grandchildren, Mason and Dylan McFarland; and a host of in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Services for Lucius will be Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Colonial Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Friday November 11, 2011 at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be David Heath, Jr., John Heath, Steve Heath, Cody Welch, and his grandsons, Mitch and Kenneth Wright. Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Grigsby, Bo Brown, Harold McClaran, Marvin Cureton, and Carnes Alexander. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Beacon Hospice Margaret's House, 5016 Gilmer Rd., Longview, Texas 75604. This obituary was written by Lucius' grandson Mitch Wright.