Douglas WRIGHT

WRIGHT, Douglas Arthur 60, of Tampa, passed away Sunday, May 9, 2021. Mr. Wright was a Lakeland native and long-time resident of Tampa. He was a prominent lawyer and partner in Holland & Knight LLP, where he served as the firm-wide Operations and Finance Partner. Although Mr. Wright's professional achievements were impressive, his family was always the most important part of his life. He was a loving father of three children and one granddaughter. His children were a source of tremendous pride to him. He celebrated their many accomplishments, but was most proud of the character they demonstrated and the people they grew to be. He was overjoyed by the birth of his granddaughter last year and proclaimed often that he was "bustin' out of his buttons" over her addition to his family. He was admired and beloved by his children who treasured the time they had with him. His strong presence and guidance will always be missed in their lives. It is devastating that Caroline will grow up without her Grandpa Doug, who was absolutely enamored with her. Mr. Wright also enjoyed many close and enduring friendships. His kind and giving nature allowed him to make friends easily and keep those friends for decades. He was a rock of support for all who shared his friendship. Mr. Wright graduated from Lakeland High School in 1978 and the University of Florida in 1982. He received a J.D. with honors (1986) and LL.M. in Taxation (1987) from the University of Florida. Mr. Wright joined Holland & Knight LLP in 1987 and spent his entire legal career at the firm. He practiced law in the areas of corporate and tax planning as well as business and tax litigation. He served in senior management positions for 20 years and as the firm's Operations and Finance Partner for nearly a decade. Mr. Wright's financial acumen, management skills, and tireless dedication to the firm were critically important to Holland & Knight's success over the past two decades. He devoted many years of his life to the firm and contributed greatly to its success. Many who worked with him observed that those contributions were, by all measures, exceptional. Mr. Wright was a consummate lawyer and problem solver. People inside and outside the firm turned to him with their most serious problems. He was a trusted advisor to many. Even more important, he was widely admired for his kindness, generosity, loyalty, and integrity. He had an engaging and fun-loving personality, an extraordinary intellect, and a big heart. He cared greatly for the lawyers and staff at the law firm. He worked incredibly hard every day so they could provide a good life for their families. Yet he always found the time to listen and to provide a personal word of encouragement, thanks, or congratulations. He was incredibly thoughtful and did so much to help those in need. He was a much loved friend, partner, and mentor to many throughout Holland & Knight and the Tampa Bay community. He served on the Council of Advisors for the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, as a University of Florida Board of Trustees Emeritus Member, and as a former board member of UCP Tampa Bay, The Salvation Army, Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, and The Spring of Tampa Bay. Doug Wright was a man like no other. Those fortunate enough to know him will never meet another like him. "He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again." William Shakespeare Mr. Wright was preceded in death by his father, Art. He is survived by his mother, Barbara; children, Katie DeSantis (Anthony), Thomas, and Patrick; their mother Patty; granddaughter, Caroline; sister, Pam Mann (Jack); and niece, Kristin DellaPenna (Matt). Visitation will be held Monday, May 17 from 5-8 pm at Blount Curry Macdill, 605 S. Macdill Avenue, Tampa. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 18 at 11 am at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, 3501 W. San Jose Street, Tampa. In lieu of flowers, the family plans to establish a scholarship to honor Mr. Wright at the University of Florida School of Law with more information to follow. Please visit Doug's online guestbook at www.blountcurrymacdill.com