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Arthur Lawrence Wright

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University of South Florida University of Texas

Arthur Wright Obituary

Family-Placed Obituary

Dr. Arthur Lawrence (Larry) Wright Dr. Arthur Lawrence (Larry) Wright, 53, a University of Texas faculty member and former Austin American-Statesman reporter and copy editor, died early Thursday morning at his residence in Austin. Services are set for 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1333 Beltline Road, Garland, Texas. Born March 22, 1951 in Midland, he grew up in Dallas, where his father was in the oil business. Wright attended St. Mark s Academy in Dallas, but graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1969. He attended UT Austin that fall, pledging to a fraternity. Deciding to postpone a college education, he held a variety of jobs, including working as a roughneck in the East Texas oil fields, before going to work for the American-Statesman in 1972 as a city desk clerk. He soon won promotion to reporter, covering police news and general assignments. During the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, he paid his own way to the Middle East to be a war correspondent for the newspaper. Back in Austin, he stayed with the American-Statesman until 1975, when he moved to Florida to work on the Bradenton Herald. After a stint back at UT Austin in 1978-1981, he returned to Florida. He worked for the Naples Daily News and Tampa Tribune, then in 1984 turned to freelance writing and public relations agency work before joining Poe and Associates, a large Tampa-based insurance agency, as marketing director. While in Florida, he completed his bachelor s degree and earned a master s degree from the University of South Florida. He returned to Austin in 1996 to work on his doctorate at UT. For part of the time he was in school, he again worked for the American-Statesman on the copy desk. He also taught at St. Edward s University for a time. Graduating with a PhD. in communications in 2002, he began teaching speech communication in the UT School of Business. Survivors include his wife, Debra Gordon; his father, Harold Eugene Wright of Tyler, his step-mother, Joy Wright, also of Tyler; a brother, Brad Wright of Dallas; a sister, Amy Wright Rosche of Widewater, Alberta, Canada; a half-sister, Bitsy Wright, of Tyler; two sons, Ben Wright, of Fort Worth and Adam Wright, who is employed by the National Park Service at California s Yosemite National Park; and a daughter, Katie Beatty of Virginia. Arrangements under the direction of Sparkman/Crane Funeral Home, 10501 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218, (214) 327-8291.

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Published by Austin American-Statesman on Dec. 19, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Arthur Wright

22 Entries

Jan Banker

January 18, 2005

I had the great pleasure of being Larry's minister while he lived in Tampa. He not only livened up my Sunday School class, he brought philosophical and intellectual depth to our discussions. He even dressed up as the SNL "Church Lady" to do skits to promote our class. He was a sensation. When he came back to visit in Tampa we would often meet at Pach's for breakfast. I would bring a notebook to jot down some of the jewels that would pour forth from his mouth. I always urged him to write a memoir - he inspired me in my own writing. I thank God that I had the opportunity to know Larry as he certainly blessed my life; and I trust God that death is not the end for Larry and that God still has many more purposes for him - all of which are bright and beautiful.

Debika Sihi

January 11, 2005

I was in Dr. Wright's BA 324 class in Spring of 2003. He was one of the nicest professors I have ever had. I just wanted to express my sincerest condolences to his family.

Ismael Hernandez

January 10, 2005

Dr. Larry Wright was one of the best teacher's I have had at McCombs. He was a great mentor and and an overall great guy.

He had a great sense of humor and took a genuine interest in the improvement of his students. He was one of a kind and will be missed by many. My condolences to his family.

Elizabeth Fendrick

January 10, 2005

I was so sad to hear about Larry's death. My condolences to all his family and friends.

I worked with Larry here in Tampa when we were both involved with the Dreamquest Productions. He has been a dear friend ever since. I had lunch with him while he was in Tampa last May for his son's graduation and his laughter and good spirits is what I will always remember.

Thank you for sharing your talents with us all, Larry. Our world is a little smaller without you.

Elizabeth Fendrick

Abbas Lotia

January 8, 2005

I was in Dr. Wright's communication class in the Spring of 2003. He always strived to help his students and taught me much in many regards. He will be missed.

Jesus Perez, BBA '03

January 6, 2005

Mr. Wright,

I was just thinking about you the other day and about the bottle of Dom Perignon that I promised I'd owe you if I got the scholarship for the letter you helped me write. Guess what, I got it. I'll leave the bottle closed until I see you.

Mr. Wright was one of my instructors the first semester I transferred to the UT Business School. Everybody should be as lucky to have a teacher and more importantly a friend like him. My prayers are with you Mr. Wright, your family and all of us who will always cherish the memories of your advice, your warm smile, your sense of humor and your wit. Make them all Longhorn fans in Heaven Larry.

Sarah Emley

January 6, 2005

I loved professor Wright. I would see him from time to time after taking his class in the Fall of 2002. At the time I was booked in two plays and gave him and his wife tickets to come and see me in an Opera. A few of us in his class joined him at the Cactus Cafe for drinks so we could get to know him outside of class. He cared about every student's progress and he was one of my inspirations to be a writer for the Austin Student despite not being a formal journalist. He talked of his lovely wife and how he adored her and she and the rest of his family will be in my prayers. He will be deeply missed.

Ballet Austin

January 6, 2005

Dr. Wright gave two guest lectures to Ballet Austin staff members on Business Communication in 2003. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to know and learn from him, and will keep his loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.

Andrew Allen-Aguilar

January 3, 2005

I enjoyed Professor Wright's class immensely and I am very sorry to hear of his passing.

Caris Hurd

December 28, 2004

Dr. Wright was a wonderful professor and an example to all his students. He garnered respect and kept his sense of humor through everything. I was in his spring 04 course, and enjoyed it immensely. My thoughts are with his family.

Faisal Lalani

December 28, 2004

Larry Wright was a great man who really cared about his students. He did wonders for me not only in communication skills, but also in how I viewed life. I wish you the best, and hope all the best for your family. I will never forget what you have done for me and the rest of the students at business school.

Christian Osorio

December 25, 2004

Mr. Wright I want to thank you for helping me out the fall semester of 2004, your class was one the best ones I have taken at the school of business and even thought I was not the best speaker you made me fell like I was improving. The school and BA324 are not going to be the same again.

Wherever you are now I wish you the best of luck and thanks again for everything.

Phil

December 24, 2004

Larry: I miss you. Peace. Phil

Michael Gaido

December 24, 2004

One of the best teachers I have ever had. A great smile, listener, and friend. His presence will be missed.

Ali McLane

December 23, 2004

Larry was well loved here in Tampa. He was full of fun and adventure and had his own interesting slant on life. He had an uncanny ability to make everyone in the room feel special, and he brought his own East Texas-mixed-with-saltwater-Florida- boy attitude to everything he did. He was a talented writer and sailor and friend, and he loved his family and friends dearly. My sympathies go out to you all. God bless you, Larry.

Jacqueline Dickerson

December 23, 2004

Dr. Wright was an extraordinary teacher and person, he will be missed by us all. I enjoyed his class immensly, and I think of the things I learned from him often. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

Scott Montgomery

December 23, 2004

I knew Larry through a mutual friend while I lived in Tampa. It was great to have a fellow Texan to talk with at the various gatherings we attended. Larry was a great and very entertaining person. His sharp wit and sense of humor was matchless. I admired his intellect and insight into life. The group of friends he was a part of in Tampa were the best.

Omar Rauf

December 21, 2004

Dr. Wright was one of the most courages man that I have ever come across. He has helped made me the man I am. He came to his last class even though he was very sick, and he did it for his students. That means a great deal for all us students. Dr. Wright and I had your ups and downs, but in the end, he thought me discipline and taught me a lot about life in general. He was always there if you needed to talk to him about any subject. My thoughts and prayers go to the entire Wright family. Specially to Mrs. Wright, who I talked to over the phone after Mr. Wright was taken to the hospital. Mrs. Wright, you were extrmely nice and kind to me and I appreciate that. If there is anything I can do in these trying times, please do not hesistate to call me.

(281)222-1916.

Love and Prayers,

Omar Rauf. (Student of Dr. Wright Spring & Fall 04)

[email protected]

281-22 2-1916

Emily Gibbs

December 21, 2004

Mr. Wright was such an entertaining and educational teacher. He was always upbeat and by far one of my favorite teachers at UT. He will be missed.

Courtney Carlson

December 20, 2004

Professor Wright was a wonderful teacher. He helped me tremendously with my speaking skills and was always so entertaining with his wit and charm. He will be missed.

Michael Brandl

December 20, 2004

Larry was a friend as well as a colleague. He carried deeply about his students and his family. He was very much looking forward to his upcoming 7th wedding anniversary.

I will miss seeing him sitting in his office with his feet up on his desk, usually in sandals without socks, reading a book on some obscure topic not realted in anyway to business nor communications. He was a scholar, a gentleman, and a friend. I will deeply miss him.

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