Daniel Neal Wright

Well-known Roanoke distance runner Daniel Neal Wright, 68, died Dec. 21, 2015, from complications of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease). Dan was definitively diagnosed with the non-curable, non-treatable, always fatal disease in 2006. He had been a resident of the Brian Center in Fincastle for the last eight years. Dan far outlived the average life expectancy of persons with ALS.
As an avid runner, Dan ran hundreds of races during his career, including 19 marathons. He also coached other runners and teams and was a past president of the Star City Striders. He was instrumental in establishing the Murray Run Greenway near Patrick Henry High School, and in 2006 Roanoke City Council declared Dan Wright Day in the City of Roanoke and named the Dan Wright Trailhead in his honor. Dan was also a loaned executive with the United Way for two years and helped establish both the Roanoke Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis and the Walk to Defeat ALS, which celebrated its 10th year in September. His team The Long Run, raised thousands of dollars for ALS support and research each year. Dan was also active in the Greater Raleigh Court Civic League for a number of years.
A U.S. Navy veteran, Dan was employed by Dominion and First Union National Banks and was regional director of the Arthritis Foundation before opening his own company, Closet and Storage Solutions. He sold his company and retired after becoming disabled by ALS. Dan grew up on dairy farms in Vermont and Massachusetts and graduated from Greenfield (MA) High School in 1965. Thanks to modern technology, he was able to be present at his class' 50th reunion in October. He also attended the University of Massachusetts.
Dan is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Wright of Alexandria, VA; his long-time partner, Brenda McDaniel of Roanoke; a sister, Brenda (Dale) Burnham of Simpsonville, S.C.; two brothers, Ronald Wright of Greenfield, MA, and Scott (Sharon) Wright of Fairlee, VT; four nieces, a nephew, many cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and fellow runners. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ida Wright and an infant brother. Tremendous thanks to the many nurses, respiratory therapists, and aides at the Brian Center who have loved Dan and taken excellent care of him throughout the past eight years.
A celebration of Dan's life will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23, at Oakey's South Chapel on Brambleton Avenue. All who loved Dan are invited. Dan willed his brain and spinal cord to the Veterans Administration Biorepository Brain Bank in Boston for a national research project to learn why ALS is so prevalent among U.S. veterans. Donations in Dan's memory may be made to the ALS Association - DC/MD/VA Chapter, 7507 Standish Place Rockville, MD 20855. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel. 540-989-3131.