Mr. Leslie J. "Les" Wright of Sarcoxie, Missouri departed this life suddenly on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at his home at the age of 81 years. Les entered this life on June 3, 1927 in Miller, Missouri, son of the late Leslie L. and Ava Frances (Pittsenbarger) Wright. He was raised in the Reeds, Missouri area and was a 1945 graduate of Sarcoxie High School. From 1945 to 1948 he served his country faithfully in the United States Army as a paratrooper. On May 23, 1949 in Bentonville, Arkansas he was united in marriage to Betty L. Bittick and to this union a son and daughter were born. They made their home in East Chicago before moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1957. Les retired in 1989 after 40 years of service with Occidental Petroleum. For the last 17 years, Les and Betty have called Sarcoxie, Missouri home. He was an active member of the Reeds Baptist Church, serving as Deacon and Sunday School Director. He loved life on the farm and worked daily caring for his beloved Brangus cattle. Les centered his life around his family and looked forward to each moment they could share together. Les is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Betty L. Wright of the home; a son, Kevin Wright and wife, Mary Ann of Snyder, Texas; a daughter, Barbara Gahagan and husband, Bruce, of Mangum, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Kelsey Gahagan, Glyn Wright, Kylie Gahagan, Sydney Wright, Jordan Wright and Averey Wright; a brother, Jack Wright of Sarcoxie, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends. Funeral services for Mr. Leslie J. Wright are 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 12, 2008 in the Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home Chapel in Sarcoxie, Missouri. Burial will follow in the Sarcoxie Cemetery. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are Tom Bittick, Danny Bittick, Charlie Bittick, Steve Bittick, Dennis Bittick and Gary Hopper. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6-8:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Memorials in memory of Les can be given to the charity of your choice. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.housh-goodwinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie, Missouri.