John W. Wright, Sr.

John W. Wright, Sr., formerly of Richmond, Missouri was born on July 18th, 1930 in Steelville, Missouri to Lewy and Flossie Perkins Wright. John passed away at the Veterans Home in Saint James, Missouri on February 23, 2017 at the age of 86.

After growing up in Steelville, John joined the United States Air Force in 1951 through 1955 and served during the Korean War achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Following an honorable discharge, John joined the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 1955 and was posted to Lexington, Missouri where he served for three years. He moved to Richmond in 1958 and primarily worked the Ray County area. In 1966, John was appointed as the first Commander of the newly established Troop A, Zone 12 with responsibility for Ray and Carroll counties. He retired from the Patrol in 1989 and served as a Deputy Sheriff and a member of the Richmond Police Board before moving to Saint James in Phelps County near where he grew up.

John leaves his two loving sons, Dale K. Wright of Key Largo, Florida and John W. Wright, Jr. and his wife Karla of Katy, Texas. He also leaves two granddaughters, Christie Wright Vial and her husband, Dr. Brian Vial of Houston, Texas and Erin Wright Fair and her husband, Mitchell Fair of Fulshear, Texas. John is also survived by his brother Edwin and his wife Faye of Rogersville, Missouri and his sister Jane Clinton and her husband Ed of Saint James. One son, Clayton Todd, one sister, Gladine, and one brother, Calvin, preceded him in death.

During his nearly five decades of living in Ray County, John was a member of the First Baptist Church of Richmond and the First Baptist Church of Henrietta. He was a member of the Richmond Masonic Lodge, Ararat Shrine Club, Richmond American Legion, and Richmond VFW.

The family suggests donations in his loving memory to the Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society (MASTERS) supporting families of Missouri State Highway Patrol Troopers who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2017 at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Burial will be in Richmond Memory Gardens Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Ray County Veterans. On-line condolences may be left at www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.