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The Logger with the Heart of Gold: Bernard Wright’s Journey to a Dual Transplant
Rooted in Greene County, Strong for His Family
If you’ve spent any time near a job site in Middle Georgia, you know Bernard Wright. At 50 years young, Bernard is the man who makes the whole day brighter. A staple in the Georgia woods since he was 15, he learned the ropes under his granddad, Cornelius Johnson Sr. and today, his uncle Ricky Johnson continues the Johnson Logging family legacy.
Bernard is the man the crew leans on. He’s an expert foreman and a master at his craft—the mechanic who can always find a way to get a massive piece of equipment back in gear with a smile on his face. Whether he was setting the pace for Timber Services of Georgia in Madison or bringing his expertise to Fordham Logging in Carlton, Bernard is as tough as a Georgia oak, with a heart as big as the outdoors and a joke ready for everyone he meets.
The Ultimate "Engine Overhaul"
In Bernard’s world, you don’t scrap a great machine just because it needs a heavy repair; you rebuild it from the frame up. Since a surprise heart attack in 2018, Bernard has been doing exactly that—facing every challenge with a spirit that has never wavered. Today, he lives with a defibrillator—a constant, silent guardian—and since 2024, he has managed the demanding routine of peritoneal dialysis every single day with the same steady hand he used to operate heavy machinery.
But these are temporary fixes. To get back to the life he loves, Bernard is preparing for his most important "repair" yet: a simultaneous heart and kidney transplant. He’s facing this "engine overhaul" with the same grit and humor he’s always brought to the woods. He isn't just getting by—he’s getting ready for his next big chapter.
The "Granddaddy" Standard
Bernard doesn't do "slow," and he isn't fighting this battle to sit still. He lives for his circle—his devoted wife, Athena Rena Wright, his kids, BJ, Jakayla, and Spencer, and the grandkids who think he hung the moon, Baylee and Braden. He is making this journey so he can get back to the thick of it: being the active, hands-on "Granddaddy" who is always on the move, the one the kids run to, and the man who keeps the family’s wheels turning. He’s fighting to get back to the sidelines, the job sites, and every family gathering where his laugh is the main event.
Joining the Wright Crew
As a foreman, Bernard has spent his life taking care of his people. Now, we are inviting the community to join his crew and help clear the path to his recovery. A dual transplant is a massive journey, and we want to ensure the only thing Bernard and Rena have to focus on is his healing.
Your generosity helps cover:
• The Rebuild: Medical deductibles and transplant-related expenses.
• Essential Support: Lifesaving medications and intensive post-op care.
• The Road Home: Travel and lodging so Rena and the kids can stay by his side during his recovery.
How You Can Pitch In:
• Contribute: No gift is too small to help Bernard and Rena reach the finish line.
• Share the Story: Help us spread the word from the job sites to the local stores.
• Keep Him Laughing: Drop a funny memory or a joke in the comments! You know he’s always looking for a good laugh.