Scott W. Wright

(06/11/2003) Scott W. Wright, 38, a former award-winning reporter for the Austin American Statesman, a devoted son, brother, nephew and friend to all he met, died June 8, 2003, at the home of his parents following a short illness. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday June 11, 2003, at the West Liberty United Methodist Church with Rev. Jeanne Koughn officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, West Liberty. Friends may call Tuesday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty. A memorial fund has been established. He was born July 27, 1964, in Iowa City the son of Ronald and Cheryl Booth Wright. A fun-loving and adventurous spirit whose passion for journalism and telling the worlds stories took him from hometown newspapers in Vermont and Texas to the ranks of the nations top education publications. Over the last two years he made his mark as assistant managing editor for Education Week in Bethesda, Md., a national newspaper covering K-12 schooling around the country. While at the Statesman, Wright covered a wide variety of stories with panache and a special flair - writing about such diverse topics as Austin's leisure activities, rodeos and county fairs, a nude wedding at Hippie Hollow and extensive contamination at an eastside gasoline tank farm. Several of those stories won statewide and national awards. He was a passionate and prolific writer with a flare for capturing a scene, an emotion, a moment in time, and a commitment to giving voice to the communities and causes that struggled to be heard. His prose captivated readers whether he was reporting about the amusements at the county fair or the devastation of the Oklahoma City bombing. To his family he was perfect, a warm and loving soul who'd worked hard and well to make a name for himself. To friends he was quick with a smile, an infectious laugh, and a well-timed practical joke. After graduating from West Liberty High School as salutatorian in 1982, Scott spent a year as an exchange student in the Dominican Republic. He entered Iowa State University and graduated in 1987 with a double major in journalism and Spanish. As a journalist he followed the story, traveling throughout much of the country. Whether he settled in the northeast, southwest, or the nations capital he always brought with him a little bit of home. A plank from his fathers barn, one of his mothers antiques, pictures of his prized calves, and a farm-bred charm that allowed him to make friends quickly and forever. Scott is survived by his parents, Ronald and Cheryl Wright of West Liberty; sister, Robyn Rae Ireland of Marion, Iowa; aunt, Audrey (Dale) Lenz of West Liberty; and uncle, Kenneth (Fiance Brenda) Wright of West Liberty.