Harvey Wright Junior

Harvey J Wright, age 93, passed away June 23, 2022. He entered the glory of heaven after a life well lived.
Harvey was born February 26, 1929, in rural Mercer County near Princeton Missouri. His parents were Harve and Nora Wright. He was the youngest of their seven children. He was one of three brothers and three sisters who all have preceded him in death.
Harvey married Anna Marie Jones of Princeton, Missouri on June 11, 1950, and only a few days before his death they celebrated their 72 anniversary. He was a gentle, kind, loving and compassionate man of God who lived an exemplary life of faith and wisdom. He loved his wife and family so well and was a constant supporter and encourager. A great storyteller and a person who touched countless others through his lifelong ministry work and military service.
Harvey graduated from Princeton High School, Princeton, Missouri in 1947 and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1951 and a Master's Degree in Education and Administration from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas in 1964. He earned certification as a Financial Planner from the Financial Planning Institute, Denver Colorado in 1989.
Serving his country in the United States Army during the Korean War, he was stationed in Japan, with the Far East Command under General Mark Clark. His assignment was being a Draftsmen G2 Intelligence Division, Allied Forces. Always a proud Army veteran who was able to participate in the Honor Flight program in 2015, with fellow veterans from the Baptist Home, he was escorted to Washington DC.
He began his professional career as a secondary public-school teacher of vocational agriculture and as a FFA sponsor for six years. Next he transitioned with his agriculture background to Assistant Director of Agricultural News and Information for KFEQ Radio and Television in St. Joseph, Missouri for 3 years.
While in St Joseph his leadership and organization skills led him to being ordained as a church deacon and further service in his local church. From this experience he knew he was being called into full time ministry. Making a huge leap of faith he moved his family of six to Fort Worth, Texas to attend seminary to prepare for ministry, which became his life purpose and calling. After seminary he was officially ordained into the Gospel Ministry and served in local churches and within the Southern Baptist denomination for 32 years. His remarkable leadership, wisdom and practical guidance has impacted innumerable people and organizations. He retired in 1994 as Vice President in the Marketing Division of the Annuity Board of Southern Baptists, now called Guidestone Financial Services.
Harvey joined Rotary International as a member in 1951 in Princeton, Missouri and his last active membership was with the Downtown Rotary Club of Jefferson City, Missouri where he served as Secretary, Vice President and President. While there he received the Paul Harris Fellow Award. In 1995 he was honored by Princeton High School with the Outstanding Alumni Award. From the American Red Cross he earned special recognition for all the gallons of blood he donated over many years.
His hobbies included any and all sports, at any time, especially St. Louis Cardinals, Missouri Tigers and MSU Lady Bears! Plus, one of the few golfers who can boast of two Hole in Ones. He and Annie have had friendships across the country and in earlier days they enjoyed traveling extensively, visiting special people.
Harvey was the sole patriarch of his immediate and extended family for over a decade. He is now survived by his wife Annie of Ozark, Missouri. Their marriage was blessed with four children who also survive him. He is also survived by his children, Rita Gurian, husband Larry of Springfield, Missouri, John Wright, wife Rossy Vargas of Grand Prairie, Texas, Beth Brandenburg, husband Mike of Pompano Beach, Florida, Tom Wright, wife Susan of Lee Summit, Missouri; 10 grandchildren, David Gurian, Rachel Wortman, Lauren Aguirre, TarAnn Barrett, Jenna Snider, Abbey Van Booven, Connor Wright, Cassidy Wright, Samantha Wright Vargas, and Sebastian Wright Vargas; 11 great grandchildren, Eli, Callie, Jack & Grace Wortman
Rebekah, Katherine & Abby Gurian, Linden & Tessa Barrett, Quinn & Lane Van Booven, Baby Snider due July 2022
A service and celebration of life will be held Friday July 8, 2022, Greenlawn Funeral Home East Springfield, Missouri. Visitation 10 am to 12 pm with services to follow at 12 noon.
Burial service at Missouri Veterans Cemetery of Springfield, Missouri held at 2 pm.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to The Baptist Home, Ozark Missouri.