Marvin Wright, Jr.
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Marvin Wright Jr, 82 passed away on September 18 in Bradenton, FL after a brief illness.
Marvin was born October 2, 1936 in Batesville, Arkansas. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Cord-Charlotte High School in 1954. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Air Force where he served as a military police officer for eight years. He was stationed in Texas, Korea, Kentucky and Alabama. While in Alabama he met and married Diane Wilson. He was then stationed in the Azores where is daughter Teri was born in 1961. He had the distinction of guarding Air Force One, while stationed in the Azores.
Upon leaving the Air Force in 1963, along with his young family, he returned to his home state of Arkansas where his son Donald was born in 1966. They later moved to Wisconsin. In 1971 he moved his family to Florida, first living in Tampa, eventually settling in Bradenton.
He had many careers over the years, but he always had a strong work ethic in everything he did and rarely missed a day of work.
From a small boy, he loved westerns and cowboy movies, especially the singing cowboys Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. He also grew up with the love of music, playing the guitar, banjo and harmonica with his father and brothers. He liked all kinds of music, but especially old timey and folk music. He was also naturally artistic and liked to sketch and sometimes paint.
Marvin is most remembered for his sense of humor and storytelling. Whether telling stories from his childhood or pulling your leg with one of his tall tales, he made you smile and laugh even if you had heard the story many times before.
He was a charter member of Colony Baptist Church in Ellenton, FL., The church was a very important part of his life, along with his wife Sandra.
Marvin is preceded in death by his wife Sandra, married nearly 29 years. He is also preceded by his parents, Marvin and Olene Wright, an infant brother, and his nephew Tony Wright.
He is survived by his daughter Teri Wright, son Donald Wright and his wife Maria, his wife's children Debra Davis and her husband David, Ted Allen and Maureen, Fred Allen and his wife Lynn.
His grandchildren are Krysta, Donald Jr., Rachel, Jennifer, Stephanie, Brandon, Sean and Alex. He is blessed to have great-grandchildren, Lyla, Mila, Xavion, and Zarianna
He is survived by his brother, Clifford Wright, brother Murl Wright and his wife Debbie, and his sister Shirley Blue, and her husband Vaugh. He had three nieces, Cindy, Sandra, and Beth; and a grandniece Nia and grandnephew Noah.
A celebration of life will occur at a later date in Arkansas.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to The American Cancer Society.