James Richard (Rick) Wright

Rick Wright

March 19, 1956 – October 12, 2024

James Richard (Rick) Wright, 68 of Auburn, passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Upstate University Hospital after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer, with his wife by his side.

Rick was born in Colorado Springs, CO on March 19, 1956, to the late Gene and Barbara Wright. Rick grew up in an Air Force family where they lived in a number of states and in the Philippines before they settled in Ft. Collins, CO. He attended Rocky Mountain High School and graduated in 1974. That summer he met future wife, Karen at Baskin Robbins. 

Rick earned his Bachelor’s and later Master’s Degree in Finance from Georgia State University.  During his professional career, he was a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Designer and worked in Georgia, Colorado, and Texas. He worked in Texas for over 20 years before the love for his grandchildren brought he and Karen to settle in Auburn, NY where he worked at L3Harris.  He loved his job, especially being able to mentor his colleagues and worked right up until he was hospitalized.

Rick was well known for the love of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Social and outgoing by nature, one of his life-long passions was sharing this love by teaching Sunday School. Loving Jesus was abundantly expressed in his kindness to everyone he met. 

He was a world traveler, planning exotic trips with Karen.  Together they were usually trying out new restaurants, attending auctions, seeking out obscure treasures, hiking the outdoors, watching golf, and gardening. And of course, he enjoyed a good homemade pie, taking trips to Chuy’s and eating at Doug’s Fish Fry!

He was an active father and grandfather.  As dad, he took his family on numerous day trips to hot dog outings at state parks, pitched baseballs, threw footballs, designed clever Halloween costumes, and would gather the neighborhood kids and be the only parent playing capture the flag with a dozen kids. 

His grandkids became his favorite people. He would play hours of Yahtzee and Trouble with Zachary, attend tea parties with Sarah, buy tools at Lowe’s then wire lights with Jacob, and tell jokes and stories and eat fish with Matthew. “Grandpa” watched movies, took them on trips, attended every soccer and basketball game, and taught archery.

Rick is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Karen (Dickinson) Wright, his son Christopher (Michelle), his grandchildren Jacob, Matthew, Zachary, Sarah, and Caleb Wright of Auburn, NY. He is also survived by his sister Bobbie (David) Brown of TX, his sister-in-law Jacquline Martin, sister and brother-in-law Stacy Schanhols and Brent Anderson of CO, and mother and father-in-law Sue and Ed Roberts of AZ.

In addition to his parents, Rick was predeceased by his son Jeffrey Wright and brother Wayne Wright.

A memorial service, followed by a reception/meal, will be held at First Baptist Church of Memphis, NY, 1960 W. Genesee Turnpike Elbridge, NY, 13060 on Sunday, October 20th at 3:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Finger Lakes Christian School, 2291 State Route 89, in Seneca Falls, NY.

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