Patrick Michael "Mike" Wright, Sr.

Patrick Michael "Mike" Wright, Sr., age 69, of Glenwood, died Saturday, March 23, 2013. He was born on April 12, 1943, at Chicago, Illinois the son of William Francis Wright and Kathrine Quinn Wright. On March 16, 1962, he was married to Elizabeth Jayne "Betty" Roth Wright, who preceded him in death on April 26, 2003. He was also preceded in death by his infant son, Robert Joseph Wright; his grandson, Michael Wayne Reid; and his parents. On March 17, 2007, he was married to Mary Broene. Mike and Betty and their six children moved to Glenwood from New Jersey in 1973. They quickly became part of the business community. They owned many businesses in Glenwood such as the Glenwood Laundromat and the Rawleigh Burger until 1982. In 1985, he went into business with Dean Chambers and they built the Steak Ahoy, which now is known as the Fish Nest. Mike was also a truck driver, he owned and operated trucks for many years. He and his wife Betty founded and operated Wright's Transportation, a successful brokerage that they operated from their home. In the late 90's he opened and operated Angelia's, a Mexican and Italian restaurant. Mike was a giver, if someone needed something and he had it to give it was theirs. He opened his home to people who had nowhere else to go. There were many holidays that his home was host to people in town who frequented the Rawleigh Burger whom he knew had no family and would be alone. They were made to feel like part of the family, given a hot meal and had presents under the tree. He also gave of his time coaching his boys' little league team. Mike always had a positive attitude toward life. He never let his chronic pain or crippling illness stop him from anything he wanted to do. Those who knew him never heard him complain. On April 26, 2003, Mike lost his wife of 41 years. He was not to be alone for long, he found love a second time around and on March 17, 2007, he was married to Mary Broene. They had six wonderful years together before his illness and death. Mike's children will be forever grateful for the loving care Mary provided for their father during his illness. Mike passed quietly surrounded by his family while listening to music from the 50's, which he loved. Mike will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his ability to make you laugh, and his habit of starting projects and never finishing them. His family always came first and he showed much love in his heart for all. He is survived by his wife, Mary Wright of Glenwood; six children and their spouses, Patrick Wright, Jr. and his wife, Lee Ann, of Glenwood, Colleen Reid and her husband, Dennis, of Glenwood, Sean Wright and his wife, Shanee, of Glenwood, Kelly Butcher and her husband, Jeff, of Hot Springs, Elizabeth Grant and her husband, David, of Greenbrier and Katie Evans and her husband, Jeff, of Glenwood - (our Daddy's words -"I had no favorites, I hated them all equally"); four step-children and their spouses, Elizabeth Kirkham and her husband, Calvin, of Greenwood, Sue Benedict and her husband, Wally, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Monica Barrow and her husband, Bill, of Roland, Oklahoma and Robert Broene and his wife, Julie, of Clever, Missouri; eighteen grandchildren; ten step-grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; eleven step-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Connie Lauer and her husband, John, of Hot Springs Village and Patty Quinn and her friend, Sue Matsuyama, of Glenwood. Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, March 26, 2013 in the Glenwood First Church of the Nazarene with Bro. J.B. Evans officiating. Visitation will be held Monday, 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Glenwood Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood. Pallbearers will be James Wright, Jason Reid, Dennis Reid, Chris Wright, Keith Bledsoe, Jonathon Canals, Jacob Grant, Matthew Wright and Alex Grant. Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.