McKinley W Wright

Wright – McKinley William Wright, age 105, of Orange Park, Florida, passed away at his home on February 5, 2026. He was born in Wheeler County, Georgia to Willie Reid and Viola (Ryals) Wright. McKinley graduated cum laud from Mercer University with bachelor's degrees in religion and physics. A veteran of World War II, McKinely was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1949 and served as a Primitive Baptist minister (Elder) for over 75 years. During his ministry, he served at approximately ten churches, mostly rural or in small towns, in Georgia and Florida. McKinley co-founded a religious magazine, The Trumpet of Truth, and in his 90's he created a website of sermons, www.mannacomingdown.org. To support his family as his children were growing up, McKinely worked full-time as an electronics instructor while still pastoring churches and continued to pastor churches until his health forced him to retire, again in his 90's. McKinley was a patriotic citizen, who voted in every national election, the last time in 2024, at the age of 104. In his spare time, he loved to garden, fish, read history and do sudoku puzzles. McKinley had a joyful spirit, and his children were blessed to have him as a father. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 75 years, Gladys (Ferguson) Wright; two sons, John William Wright and Joseph Reid Wright; two brothers, Morgan Frederick Wright and Willie Reid Wright, Jr., and sister, Azalea Wright Wilson.

McKinley is survived by a daughter, Susan Skulskie; son, James Wright (Brenda); grandchildren, Ken Britt (Nora) and Jamie Wright; great-grandchildren, Hayden and Bella Wright; sister-in-law, Nancy Wright; and many extended family members.

A Graveside Service for McKinley will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. (attendees should meet at Cedar Bay Funeral Home, 405 New Berlin Road, Jacksonville, Florida, at 1:00 p.m.) at Jacksonville National Cemetery where military honors will be rendered with Elder Jackie Deal officiating. A Memorial Service will be held at Riverside Primitive Baptist Church, 702 Dellwood Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida, on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements are under the care and direction of CEDAR BAY FUNERAL HOME, 405 New Berlin Road, Jacksonville, Florida, 32218. (904) 714-1110.