Ralph L. Wright, Sr. age 91, of Canal Fulton, formerly of Smyrna, died November 30, 2023 in Chapel Hill Nursing Home in Canal Fulton.
He was born November 11, 1932 in Flushing Township in Jockey Holler. He was the youngest of six boys born to the late Clyde Wright and Altha Luyster Wright. Five brothers: James, Lewis, Carl, Junior, and William; five sisters: Rosa, Irene, Darlene and two infants, all preceded him in death.
Living a full life to age ninety-one. As a young lad helped his father cut timber around Flushing and Moorefield and helped to work the farm. He attended school until the seventh grade in Holloway, Belmont Ridge, and Freeport.
At the age of 18, he entered the army and was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He entered in 1951 and served two years as a tank instructor and played basketball on his off hours. He was honorably discharged in 1954.
On his train ride home, he met a man on the train who became his friend and eventually one of that man’s sisters became Ralph’s wife, Betty. They were married September 22, 1954 and they started their family in 1955.
He and Betty became parents of six children, the last one being born in 1971. He decided late in life he wanted to become an auctioneer and got his vendor’s license and set up his own business, Wright’s Auction in Harrison County. He was very knowledgeable of the area since he grew up here. Ralph helped many people by consigning their merchandise and trying to sell it for them.
In the sixties he worked building guardrail along the interstate and helped tear down the roundhouse at the train station in Holloway. He was well known around the Piedmont area and loved fishing in Piedmont Lake. His father, Clyde, helped to clear the land where the Piedmont Marina now stands.
Ralph leaves behind six children: Sue Wright, Patty (David) Holmes, Ralph (Nancy) Wright, Jr., Lorrie Aldridge, Teresa (Kevin) Moock, and Greg (Diana) Wright; three grandchildren: Curtis Aldridge, Nathan (Bridgette) Shamblin, and G. T. Wright; and two great-grandchildren: Issac Shamblin and Sidney Shamblin.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 26, 2024 in Koch Funeral Home, 216 S. High Street, Freeport with Pastor Wes Jones officiating. Following the service Ralph will be laid to rest beside his wife Betty in Oak Grove Cemetery.
May you rest in peace now Dad and may your reunion with Mom be a joyful one.
Koch Funeral Home in Freeport handled the memorial service and burial. Online condolences may be made on their website: www.kochfuneralhome.net