Ira Wright Jr.

Ira Wright Jr., 89 of Honolulu and Bellefonte, Pa., passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, at the Hawaii Kai Retirement Center in Honolulu. He was a veteran of World War II, having served as a sergeant in the Army Air Corps North African Division, Air Transport Command. He earned the Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Medal & Ribbon, European Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star and Victory Medal.

He was a life member of Bellefonte American Legion Post 33, where he served as past commander. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1600 Bellefonte; and life member of the Free and Accepted Masons Lodge 268 Bellefonte, and a member of the Jaffa Shrine of Altoona, having served in the Legion of Honor and Life Member of the Altoona Consistory. He was a member of the Centre Co. Shrine Club. He was a lifetime member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 1094 in Bellefonte. He participated in all ceremonies of patriotism held by these organizations in both Pennsylvania and Honolulu.

In later years he joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Honolulu and participated in their activities and rescues. He enjoyed hiking, walking and participated in more than 20 annual 5k Great Aloha Fun Runs in Honolulu.

A memorial service will be held on Feb. 22, 2014, at the Honolulu Elks Lodge 616 with a scattering-of-ashes ceremony to follow. Also, a military inurement will take place in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pa.