Lance Wright

1936 - 2014

Darryl Lance Wright

Pocomoke City-CDR D. Lance Wright, USN (Ret.), 78, died suddenly at his Pocomoke City, MD home on Sunday, December 7, 2014, from complications of coronary artery disease.

Born June 26, 1936 in Detroit, MI, he was the oldest of seven children of the late Russell O. and Eva Dingman Wright.

Following his graduation from high school in 1954 and attendance at the University of Michigan, Lance joined the Navy as an enlisted man in 1955 and retired in 1979 as a Commander and Naval Aviator, having served as a Squadron Commander in Alameda, CA. He settled in Pocomoke City with his first wife, the late Barbara Ann Peacock Wright and raised his family there.

He owned the Island Gas Company in Chincoteague, VA and following his retirement a second time, he became master club fitter and restorer of golf clubs. He was an active member of Salem United Methodist Church in Pocomoke City, singing and playing his trombone in the choir. He was active in the Pocomoke Elks Lodge, a member of the E.S. Madrigals, the Winter Quarters Golf Club, the Pocomoke American Legion Post #93 and a life member of the NRA. He was also proud of the fact that he was once a Golden Gloves boxer, having fought against Floyd Patterson in the Olympic trials.

He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Mollie R. Smith Wright; one daughter, Debra Deal of Pocomoke City; three sons, Gregory Wright of Delmar, DE, Geoffrey Wright and his wife Deborah of Temperanceville, VA and Kenneth Wright and his wife Melody of Arnold, MD; Mollie's children whom he included as his own; Melanie Smith of Crofton, MD; Delores Smith Watson and her husband Mike; three brothers, Raymond Wright and his wife Libby, Keith Wright and his wife Lois and Robert Wright; two sisters, Marilyn Nieto and Claudia Drake and her husband Jerry; grandchildren, Renee Alperstein, Cathy Deal, Jim (Teresa) Deal, Angie Spear, Gregory (Lauren) Wright, Chris Wright, Justin Wright, Jordan (Abigail) Wright, Regina (Matt) Kuhfuss, Renee Bielli (Mike House), Rebecca Bielli, Roxanne Bielli, Kelly Wright, Nicholas Wright, Lauren Smith, Meagan Smith, Katie (Nick) Dahlmanns, Susan (Reggie) Stubbs and Rachel (Matt) McMasters; nineteen great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Carole Peacock Voss Krueger and her husband Norman and numerous nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by one sister, Karen Hurlihy and Mollie's sons, Tommy and Eddie Smith.

A funeral service, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Sally Dolch, will be held at 1:00 PM, on Friday, December 12, 2014 in the Salem United Methodist Church, Second and Walnut Streets, Pocomoke City, MD, where family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service. Interment with military and Elks honors will follow in the Salem Methodist Cemetery, 1915 Unionville Road, Pocomoke City, MD 21851.

If desired, memorial contributions can be made to Salem United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 145, Pocomoke City, MD 21851.

Arrangements are by the Holloway Funeral Home, P.A., 107 Vine Street, Pocomoke City, MD 21851. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hollowayfh.com.