RICHARD H. WRIGHT

1940 - 2016

Wright, Richard H.

March 21, 1940 - September 29, 2016

Richard H. Wright (Dick) was born on March 21, 1940 in Del Norte, Colorado. After living in Corona del Mar for most of his adult life, he passed away on September 29, 2016 from complications related to Parkinson's Disease.

After moving to California in 1953 with his mother, older brother and sister, Dick graduated in 1958 from Garden Grove High School with a circle of friends with whom he remained close to until his passing. In high school and community college he played drums in marching band and local rock groups.

Dick was proud of his six years of service in the Air National Guard and Reserves, and was a Staff Sergeant when he was honorably discharged in 1969. He spent many afternoons at the Newport Beach American Legion Post with fellow veterans and friends.

Working most of his life as an electrical foreman, Dick worked for Anderson and Howard Electric for 12 years and then went into business for himself. Some of the work he supervised included projects at Edwards Cinema, Mission Community Hospital, Mission Medical Center, Marguerite Recreation Center and the Anaheim Memorial Medical Center.

As a younger man, Dick had many adventures including travels to Singapore, New Zealand and Tahiti. There were many 26-mile trips to Catalina Island in a 16-foot Boston Whaler. A photo of the 125-pound marlin he caught off the coast of Mexico hung over his desk, and friends remember fondly his legendary trip down Heliotrope Avenue in a grocery cart.

In 1989, Dick married Betty, the love of his life, and they lived together until her death in 2009. Dick was preceded in death by his father; mother, Virginia; stepfather, Tommy; his brother, Dave; and his sister, Lela.

He will be missed by his nephew, Mark; his niece, Shannon (Tim); and great nephews and niece, Dylan (Rosie), Chelsea (Jesse), Jayce and Jaxson. Betty's children, Dana (Andreas) and David (Tamara) and grandchildren, AJ, Danica and Tatum will also miss Poppy. Dick had a multitude of friends - many from high school - who will miss his stories and wry sense of humor. These include: Paul & Trish, Cliff & Carol, Jeff, Don & Linda, Jerry Nicholson, Lynne & Dennis, Connie, Marge, Lynda, Jo& Howard, Bev & Jerry, LaVeta & Richard, Maria and many others.

A memorial lunch will be held at the Newport Beach Yacht Club at noon on September 28. Dick's ashes will be released from the Orca II prior to the luncheon.