Walter "Ray" Wright (1937-2022)
Walter “Ray” Wright, 84, of Holton, passed away Monday, Nov. 7, 2022 at KU Medical Center in Kansas City.
He was born Nov. 22, 1937 in Plevna, in a heavy winter storm. His parents, Floyd and Otillia (Nusser) Wright, welcomed the baby boy into their family of three girls (two more were added later).
Ray attended a small one-room school for his early childhood and later Plevna Grade School. He graduated from Partridge High School and after graduation from Hutchison Junior College. Ray earned his bachelor’s degree in feed and milling technology from Kansas State University.
Ray started his career at Larned Co-op and later to Chase Co-op. He relocated his family to Holton when he started working for Farmland Industries, working in fertilizer and agriculture chemical sales.
Over the years, along with his work travels, Ray and Dolores enjoyed following their two sons and grandchildren in many athletic endeavors. They remarked they knew every stadium and bathroom in Northeast Kansas.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Holton, serving on the board of the Holton Country Club numerous times; Holton Rotary Club, Jackson County Friends of Hospice, Charter Member of BWA and founding member of Rhino Fitness Silvers Groups.
On May 29, 1959, he married his high school “girlfriend,” Dolores Cranston, at Partridge Community Church. To this marriage, two sons were born, Stacy and Shannon.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Dolores, of the home; two sons, Stacy Wright (Becky) of Farmington, Ark. and Shannon Wright (Robyn) of Holton; five grandsons, Ty Wright (Tyler), Jaxon Wright (fiancée Sarah), Will Wright, Trey Wright and Nick Ellis; one granddaughter, Paige Warren (Brennan); two great-grandsons, Whitt and Rhett Wright; two sisters, Norma Tucker (Chuck) of Hutchison and Gloria Bartley of Haven; and a host of loving nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Otillia Wright; three sisters, Kathy Vaughn, Evelyn Davisson and Morene Hamilton Havercraft; and granddaughter, Carly Suzanne Wright.
Ray will be remembered for his ability to fit into any group of people, whether work related or entertainment such as golf, fishing or having breakfast with his buddies. He enjoyed his job so much and after retirement he was always on the go.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church in Holton. Burial will follow at the Holton Cemetery. Ray will lie in state Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Holton Touchdown Club or Holton High School volleyball, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.
To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
