Richard Rankin "Dick" Wright

Richard "Dick" Rankin Wright,

January 4, 1951 - November 29, 2023

Raleigh, North Carolina - Richard "Dick" Rankin Wright, age 72, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Sunnybrook Rehabilitation Center on November 29th. He is now in a more comfortable, restful, & peaceful place with his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, & was assuredly welcomed there with waiting & loving arms by his parents.

Dick was born at Rex Hospital in Raleigh on January 4, 1951 to Dr & Mrs (Jeannette Bagwell) James Rhodes Wright Sr. He was a 3rd generation, faithful, & lifelong member of Raleigh's First Presbyterian Church, where he served for quite some time as an usher, and once taught the Vanguard Sunday School Class.

Surviving Dick are 3 brothers - James R. Wright, Jr PhD (Nancy) currently of Knoxville, TN; Charles Edmund Wright (Jennings) currently of Beaufort NC; and Christopher Bryan Wright (Julie) currently of Winston-Salem NC. He was recently preceded in death by his brother Walter Lee Wright, PhD & MD of Kinston, NC ; & much earlier by parents, & by maternal grandparents Walter Lee & Mrs. Leona Wall Bagwell , and his paternal grandparents Dr. & Mrs John B. Wright, MD, all of Raleigh.

Dick worked at Ballentines Restaurant in Cameron Village - both while attending and after graduating from Broughton High School. After that he worked for many years at Pine State Creamery Company, finishing his working career with The Wright Group and at Life Experiences of Raleigh.

Dick never intended to, and never allowed, his handicaps to affect his love for people, his love for Jesus, and his love of life, movies, & sports. He was an avid fan of NC State, the Ringling Brothers Circus, Cary Band Days, all marching bands, & the Carolina Hurricanes - & loved to talk about them with anyone. He once applied to attend the Ringling Brothers Clown School - & was accepted. He knew the names of most of the band directors at all of the Greater Raleigh High Schools, & many knew him. He would stand by the fence at Broughton, & watch entire band practices. And when he could attend Cary Band Day, he was there from start to finish - literally. Once while attending an NC State Homecoming parade, the band director came over to speak & shake Dick's hand.

Challenging him to a game of Trivial Pursuit was not wise, if you wanted to win, because his knowledge of history, movies, & sports was vast. He was also a good card player, & especially enjoyed one of his very best friends, his Aunt Cathy, coming to Sunnybrook with a deck of cards to play with he and his roommate. Pre-Covid, he loved to have visitors come by to visit. He absolutely adored picnics and family gatherings, & served as somewhat of an encyclopedia of family member names & events.

Dick never forgot Jesus's call for us to love one another & to share. He never went to church without his offering envelope, and when everything he owned was in one room, he would take something to give to less fortunate children at Christmas time.

He had an infectious smile, almost til the end.

Dick was buried at Raleigh Memorial Park, adjacent to his parents, other relatives, & family friends. At a future date, a service will be held at First Presbyterian Church to celebrate his life and resurrection. To honor Dick, a gift can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 112 S. Salisbury St, Raleigh 27601.

Burial Arrangements by Bryan Funeral Service, Swan Quarter, NC.