Joseph "Ric" Richard Wright

He was born in Woodbury, NJ on October 25, 1933, first child to Joseph Humphries Wright and Elinor (Reeves) Wright.  After graduating from Woodbury High School in 1952, Ric moved to Bingham Canyon, Utah, where he would meet his sweetheart and future wife, MaReen Nelson, who he married in September 1955.  In 1954, Ric enlisted in the US Army, and was stationed in Verdun, France, where the two started a family.  Ric had a love of practical learning, and became adept at electronics, auto mechanics, and appliance repair.  He was respected in his community and family for being able to fix almost anything. His interest in electronics and computers led him to a fulfilling career with IBM.

While helping raise 9 children, Ric was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, making homes in Salt Lake City, Utah, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Kingston, New York, and settling down the last 34 years in North Carolina.  Ric served his community and church as a Scout leader, volunteer firefighter, organizer of several clubs, elders quorum president, Stake Sunday School President, teacher, ward clerk, and temple worker. After more than 28 years at IBM, Ric retired, and in 2003, along with his wife, served a full-time mission as family history consultants in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Ric presided over his home and taught righteous principles through word and example, and demonstrated his faith in the Lord in many ways.  Ric is best remembered for his sense of humor, work ethic, and his willingness to help those in need.  Despite a debilitating heart failure that took nearly all his strength at the end, Ric was courageous in the face of death, and considered dying to be a graduation of this life.

Preceded in death by his parents, two siblings who died at birth, Helen and Jere, and an infant grandchild, Kris Grider.  He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years MaReen, and siblings James, David, Jeffrey, Joel, and Elin, and 9 children (spouses in parenthesis): Joseph Wright (Raletta Wright), Maric Wright (Marilyn Wright), Margaret Grider (Wade Grider), Paula Messinger (Paul Messinger), Tracy Carr (Randall Carr), Eileen Pusey (Marcel Pusey), John Wright (Ligia Wright), Michelle Van Dyke (Andrew Van Dyke), and Steven Wright, 31 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews, nieces, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 PM Saturday, September 24, 2022 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1811 Seabrook Ave, Cary, NC. Burial at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Fuquay-Varina immediately afterward. A viewing for family and friends will be provided at the church at 11:00 AM.

Condolences may be sent to the family at Facebook page Joseph Richard Wright Memorial.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BrownWynneCary.com for the Wright family.