L. "Les" Wright

L. WRIGHT "Les"

Peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, on Friday, December 27, 2002. Born in Burtonsville, MD, on October 2, 1921, he was the youngest and last surviving child of the late Walter G. and Anna Duvall Wright.

After graduating from Montgomery Blair High School in 1939, he was to serve three years in combat with the Army during World War II. He fought valiantly for his country during the Battle of the Bulge. His heroics ended during a battle for the Elbe River in Germany where he single-handedly neutralized a machine gun nest. His bravery earned him several commendations including a Purple Heart.

Returning from the war, Les resumed a promising career in the retail furniture business which he began

years earlier by designing and building a complete bedroom set while still in high school. He worked for Malcolm Scates Furniture in Washington, D.C. and quickly moved up the ladder, eventually serving the company as vice-president.

In 1960, Les opened his own business, which would eventually become known as Wright's Furniture. His business later flourished and would add three additional stores in Montgomery County. He sold the business in 1983 and retired to Ocean City and later Berlin. Keeping busy and enjoying life, Les worked part time for English Realty, played golf, enjoyed boating and was the beloved patriarch of his-ever growing family. He also worked with is son, Doug, helping him start his own business.

Les is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Freda Wright, of Berlin; his children, Judy Durham of Ocean Pines, whose husband was the late Leo Durham, Douglas Wright and his wife, Carroll of Berlin, Freda Sorce and her husband, Michael Sorce of Great Falls, VA, Robin Custead and her husband, William Custead of Silver Spring, MD and Joyce Wright of Bowie, MD, who was the wife of his late son, Lester L. "Lee" Wright II, who died in 1997. His grandchildren include Douglas Durham, Beth Durham, Kelly Wright, Mary Wright, Courtney Murray, Ben Custead, Bart Sorce, Nick Custead and Drew Custead. His great-grandchildren ar Zach Durham, Sara Durham, Kelson Wright, Sydney Wright, Ethan Durham and Ryley Wright.

Friends and family may call today, Sunday, December 29, 2002 from 2 until 5 p.m. at the BURBAGE FUNERAL HOME, 108 William St., Berlin, MD. A memorial service will be held in two weeks at Liberty Grove Methodist Church in Burtonsville, MD, followed by interment in Union Cemetery in Burtonsville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Coronary Care Unit, 100 East Carroll St., Salisbury, MD 20801 or the Worcester County Humane Society, P.O. Box 48, Berlin, MD 21811.