Mr. John Wright Jr.

Mr. John Wright Jr., of Hartsville, SC, died peacefully at McLeod Hospice in Florence, South Carolina on June 11, 2015 at the age of 88, the last of his family’s generation. The world is very unfortunate to have lost a patient and compassionate man who was caring to a fault and always thought of everyone else before himself. John was the youngest child born to John Wright Sr. and Stella Dale (Wright) Greenwood on August 31, 1926 at 514 South Packard Street in Kansas City, Kansas. He overcame his childhood years that consisted of the Great Depression, divorced parents, debilitating rheumatism, and helping to raise a niece. During World War II at age 17, John enlisted in the US Navy. As a gunner’s mate assigned to the USS Aulick (DD569), he went on to participate in some of the most brutal battles in the Pacific arena – Leyte Gulf, Guam, Palau, Saipan, Okinawa, and the Philippines. On November 29, 1944, their battle group came under heavy Japanese attack. Three kamikaze planes attacked his ship causing severe damage to the entire forward part of the ship and killing or injuring 96 of his shipmates. This incident taught him life’s precious value and to cherish it. His ship was rebuilt and later battled back towards Tokyo for a final assault when the atom bombs were dropped on Japan. With the WWII over, John returned to the States and while in Charleston, South Carolina, awaiting his eventual discharge and return to Kansas City, he met a young lady, Ruth V. Johnson, whom he courted and later married on April 25, 1947. After several attempts to find employment in various cities across the US, John and Ruth returned to our quiet corner of the world and started their family. However, Dad was recalled to active combat duty in 1950 during the Korean War serving aboard the USS Rochester (CA-124). Following discharge in 1951, John worked for many years as a textile supervisor, hotel/motel manager, and as the manager for the Yogi Bear restaurant in Hartsville. Throughout John’s life his focus has been outward while serving his family and fellow countrymen - never wanting attention or acclaim. In departing, John would want all of his heirs to follow his guiding words – “Always be honest in everything you do. Most of all believe in yourself. Keep your goals high and tell yourself you can make it. Don’t give up on what you would like out of life.” Surviving John are his six children John Wright III (Carolyn), Danny L. Wright (Dianne), Ronald A. Wright (Ann), F. Scott Wright (Sherry), R. Candy Phelps, and Andy Wright (Tammy) plus numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. His loving wife, Ruth Virginia (Johnson) Wright, predeceased him in 2007. Additionally, John’s father, John Wright Sr., and mother, Stella Dale (Wright) Greenwood of Kansas City, Kansas, as well as his siblings Nadine, Helen, Harry, Dale, and Marcella, all preceded him in death. John Wright Jr.’s funeral is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Sunday June 14, 2015 at Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home Chapel in Hartsville with entombment at Westview Memorial Park Mausoleum after the service. A visitation will precede the funeral services from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Johnny Tolson will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate John’s life and departure. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to McLeod Hospice, 1203 E. Cheves Street, Florence, SC or at https://foundation.mcleodhealth.org/giving. Condolences can be sent to http://www.bpafuneralhome.com. The family would like to thank Scott and Sherry Wright, and Mrs. Mary Smith for their dedicated care and support of Dad for the last eight years. The family also expresses their sincere appreciation to McLeod Hospice and especially to Dorie and Sharon for their exceptional care of Dad during his final days.

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Mr. John Wright Jr.

August 31, 1926 - June 11, 2015