Gary Howard Wright

Gary Howard Wright, 62, of Poplar Bluff died suddenly Sunday, May 25, 2014 at his residence. Mr. Wright was born Dec. 19, 1951 in Poplar Bluff. He was of the Baptist faith and was employed by American Commercial Lines as a dedicated Chief Engineer on the riverboat, "Jeffboat" for over 20 years. Mr. Wright enjoyed hanging out with his family and friends, watching St. Louis Cardinal's baseball, Kansas City Chief's football, music, and four-wheeling. On May 7, 1988, he was married to Julie Pennington in Rombauer, Mo. She survives of the home. Other survivors include his daughters: Samantha Wright, of the home and Stephanie Pennington of Poplar Bluff; mother, Lorene Withrow Conder, of Poplar Bluff; mother-in-law, Julia Pennington, of Poplar Bluff; granddaughter, Alyssa Pennington; sisters: Pam (Nathan) Fox of Bulls Shoals, Ark. and Donna (David) Crowley, of Poplar Bluff; brothers: Doug Ward, of Poplar Bluff, Les Storey, of Williamsville, Mo., and Stanley (Kathy) Wright, of Carbondale, Ill.; special nephew and cousin and lifetime friends, Brad Ward, Kent Withrow and family and Allensworth family; and his extended family at American Commercial Lines and the "Jeffboat". Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the funeral chapel with the Rev. Ralph Mayes officiating. Burial will be at Hamtown Cemetery in Butler County.