Gary Robert Wright

1971 - 2014

GARY WRIGHT Sept. 6, 1971-Jan. 7, 2014 - Gary Robert Wright was born in and passed away in his favorite town, Las Vegas. He died peacefully at home in his sleep after a valiant battle against cancer. Although Gary was only 42, he made an impact of several lifetimes on everyone he knew. He had a wide range of interests, but his greatest interest and love was music. Gary's enormous musical talent was evident at a very young age. It's rumored that he was dancing to the tunes well before he was born. He could beat out a rhythm while still crawling, and was in Heaven when given his first "real" drum set at age four. Gary dabbled with a number of instruments, including the guitar, piano, violin, bass, and vibes, but being the best drummer he could be was his calling. He played in countless bands with countless styles, and toured both nationally and internationally. Gary had a way of sharing his wealth of musical knowledge that was disarming and welcoming - he always had time for another aspiring musician. Away from music, Gary was like E.F. Hutton - he said little, so when he did share something, people really listened. He had a keen intellect and a great sense of humor. Everyone loved Gary! Besides his countless musical gigs, Gary worked at a number of jobs over the years. When he passed away, he was employed by the MGM as an event production supervisor, and was enormously proud of his accomplishments with stage set design and construction. He often described his work as the "best day job I ever had." Gary is survived by his parents, Judy Wright of Las Vegas, and Dick Wright of Indianapolis; his three older brothers, Steve Wright and Dave Wright, both of Las Vegas, and Alan Wright of San Diego; and two older sisters, Cheri Vetter of Phoenix, and Sue Wright of Las Vegas; along with their spouses. Although Gary had no children of his own, he treasured his 10 nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his former wife, Brandy Provenzano and her family; and his long-term "significant other" and love of his life, Katie Knowles. Gary was in Heaven when he got his first drum set, and spent his way too short lifetime practicing for his first gig in Heaven with the man upstairs. We know he's there now, laying down the beat and grinning that crooked grin. We will all miss Gary more than any words or music can begin to express. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4201 W. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89107. There will be a celebration of the life and music of Gary Robert Wright following, at 6 p.m. until ???, at Backstage Bar & Billiards, 601 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89101. In lieu of flowers, Gary's family requests that donations be made to the Gary Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will offer a monetary scholarship each year to a promising musical graduate of Clark High School, Gary's alma mater. Donations can be directed to: Gary Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund, SWS Financial Services, Account # 799161890, 10161 Park Run, Suite 150, Las Vegas, NV 89145, (702) 835-6835. Direct fund questions to pcarter@swsfinancial.com