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John WRIGHT Obituary
News Death Notice
WRIGHT, John Baker was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio on May 2, 1926. Son of Elizabeth and George Wright. He was a graduate of Springfield High School in 1944. Received BS in music at Wittenberg College in 1950; received MA in Education Administration and Counseling in 1961. He was a music teacher (1950-1952) in Randolph Township, music teacher in Mad River Township at Greenon HS (1952-1960), Counselor art Fairmont West HS in Kettering, OH (1961-1962), Counselor at Hayward Jr. HS in Springfield, OH (1962-1964), Asst Principal/Counselor at Springfield (South) HS (1964-1967), Principal at Springfield (South) HS (1967-1982), Newspaper carrier for Springfield News Sun (1990-2012). He was in the U. S. Navy (Seabee) Construction Battalion (1944-1946) and served in Okinawa during WWII. He also was a musician with local dance bands (1950-1975). He was a member of First United Church of Christ in Springfield, OH since 1951, Choir Director from (1951-2012) and also held positions on the Board of Trustees. He belonged to Beta Theta Pi and Wittenberg, Beta Alumni Association, Springfield Rotary Club (Organist) Benevolent Protective Order of Elks #51 (Organist), Masonic Order # 619 (St. Andrews Lodge), Royal Arch Masons (Shawnee Chapter #237), and member of the Board of Mental Health of Springfield. He performed in many Music Stage and Civic Theater productions: Vintage Voices of Elderly United; and Spryliters. Survivors include his wife Nancy (Shaw) Wright of Springfield, OH; Sister-in-law Cheryl Shaw, of Calif; Children include John R. (Linda) Wright of AL; Thomas G. (JoAnn) Wright of OH; Step-Children; Brian K. and Kelli J. Long of OH, Grandchildren; Kerrie (Shawn) Ching, Jennifer (Neil) Talbert of Calf; Michael (Sandy) Wright of Calif., Douglas (Amy) Wright of OH, Step-grandchildren; Haley (Jerry) Leedy of IN, Khrisin (Tony) Cascio, Michael Long Jr. Joshua Long and Brandi Pence of OH; Great-Grandchildren; Nicholas, Sydney and Benjamin Wright, Declan and Noel Wright, Gregory Henry III, Brandon, Kayla and Noelani Ching, Alexander and Kylie Talbert, Step -great Grandchildren; Giovonni, Sicily, Lazio and Valentino Cascio, Gabriel and Payton Leedy, Kylee Pennington and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, son David Wight, daughter Mary Anne Barnes, Step-son Michael Long, Sisters Ann Runkle and Jeanne (Rush) Nichols, and brother-in-law Doug Shaw. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday in First United Church of Christ with Pastor Gail Eastwood officiating. Visitation will be held for two hours prior to the services. Private committal services will be held for the family in Ferncliff Cemetery, Contributions may be made to St. Judes Children's Research Hospital located at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or First United Church of Christ, 2000 East High Street, Springfield, Ohio 45505. Arrangements are being handled by the JONES-KENNEY-ZECHMAN FUNERAL HOME.
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Memories and Condolences
for John WRIGHT
Warrick Barrett
May 9, 2023
Thank you for your years of service! At Springfield South High, you were the "Batman" to my Dad's "Robin."
Tom Wright
February 1, 2013
Thanks brother Johnny Rog. I couldn't express my feelings any better than that.
Dad was a special man & a great father. He touched many and was loved by many. He will be sadly missed by this grateful son, and by all who crossed his path. I love you Dad. Thanks for loving me.
Brother Tom, Jo, Linda & I (2010)
John Roger Wright
January 30, 2013
I want to express my gratitude to all who have taken time to express their personal feelings and rememberances about my father. I too, will miss his wit, his great advice, which I will admit did not take as much as I should have, and his love for those he touched. I had no idea it was to many. Thank you for sharing for all to realize his stamp on humankind.
Kerrie Wright Ching
January 18, 2013
To my dearest Grandpa, I am so very fortunate to have gotten to know you, even if it was primarily through letters and phone calls. I will surely cherish all your letters and cards. The memories I do have of you are so very dear to my heart. You are and will always be my wonderful and amazing Grandpa Wright! Love you always and forever!
John Stover
January 8, 2013
I remember Mr.Wright as the principle when I attended South HS.I quit in 69 and went into the army.In 72 before my discharge I stopped by and Mr.Wright was very cordial and invited me in to discuss getting back into school.I knew he was for all students to get a education and I appreciate His taking time to help get me on th eroad to muy Ged.RIP Mr.Wright.May your family find peace and comfort and be blessed.
Fern Lewis (Loudon)
January 8, 2013
Deepest sympathy at the loss of J.B. I have so many fond memories of music activities with him. He was a favorite teacher and a good friend to me. Rest in Peace dear teacher.
Jay Rush
January 8, 2013
Uncle John was a great uncle, father, husband, brother to my mom and a super person. He was full of life and one always could count on. I will remember his humor -- and love for family. God bless Uncle John and yes "the shoes are too big"!
Jay Rush (youngest son of his sister Jeanne) and family
Sam and Teresa
January 8, 2013
JB was a class act. Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the family. The world is a better place for having known John and his family.
Jennifer Elza
January 8, 2013
Sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you , Tom, and your family.
Charlotte Miller
January 8, 2013
Tom and family, I just heard the news today. I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you.
Joy Morgan- Espinosa
January 7, 2013
I am so very sorry for your loss. I remember JB being considered the "coolest" of principals at South High....Class of 83
Khrisin Cascio
January 7, 2013
My grandfather was the greatest man that I will ever know. Everything that I am today is because of him. Even though his body has expired, I know that whenever I need him, he will be right there. He was not only only my grandpa, he was my best friend, my muse, my editor (because he was so good at helping me with grammar), my mechanic. Most of all...my hero! We were attached at the hip since I was born. May you rest in peace forever Paps. I love you!
Mary Botkin
January 7, 2013
So sorry for your loss. Mr.Wright was very fair and made a difference in a very trying time at South. Mary Williams-Botkin Class of 74.
LEE ANN LOPEZ
January 7, 2013
Sorry to hear of Mr. Wright's passing. He always was a class act and a great Educator. Your family is in my prayers. Class of 77
Rick & Lacey Bowman
January 7, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Wright Family and Friends.
Bob Hastings
January 7, 2013
My deepest sympathy. John and I taught together at Greenon High School where I was the football coach and speech teacher. We worked together on a couple of Booster Club shows. John was one of my favorite people at Greenon and years later as he moved up the education ladder. I know how he was admired and loved by his students and friends.
The Meulemans
January 6, 2013
JB was certainly an inspiration to all of us, both in school and in church.
We were greatly appreciative for the obvious effort it took for him to sing Mother's favorite anthem at her funeral a few weeks ago. It was amazing to me that he maintained the musical talent that he had all his life right to the end.
He will be missed by many.
Cindi Tener Estes
January 6, 2013
So sad to hear of Mr. Wright's passing. My thoughts and prayers to all members of his family and friends. He was my high school principle, class of '71, and he was a good man and did a very good job.
Peggy Hayden
January 6, 2013
Mr. Wright, What memories he was at Hayward when I was a student there then I went to Franklin and I went to South and he was there. His name will always bring a smile to my face with HAPPY memories from Hayward and good old Springfield South may you Rest In Pease Mr. John Baker Wright. Your family is in my thoughts and Prayers....Peggy (Humphrey)Hayden calass of 1966 from Springfield SOUTH
mike flora
January 6, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
January 6, 2013
He was able to navigate the 60's and the 70's classes (no easy feat) with ease. We all respected him. - Dave Pickering, class of '71
Rev. Kathy Carter
January 6, 2013
You was a wondeful friend and principle to us all at South and understood us every step of the way. You will be missed. Kathy Carter class of 1977
Lucinda Jester Class of 1971
Lucinda Jordan
January 6, 2013
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the Wright family. Mr Wright was a fantastic PrincipaL at South High School!
January 6, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
January 6, 2013
Dear Tom and JoAnn
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Joyce White
Robert Ray
January 6, 2013
John was all ways a welcome sight down at the paper,he'd come in to get his papers, about 3:30 in the morning, He was so easy to talk to,alot of fun,a very friendly pleasant person,He liked it when I would tell him I was going to Bellefountaine, on wednesday's to see my friend on my off day from work,and drink some cold beer, and eat pizza,he would allways get a kick out of that, you could allways depend on John to get his papers and inserts...He was allways so dependable to satisfy his customers....Im sure gonna miss him,so much...May you rest in piece John Boy,You'll be so missed. Bobby Ray
Linda Jordan
January 6, 2013
R.I.P. Mr. Wright.
You were 1 in a billion. I am speachless this world has lost a wonderful soul like you. I remember you taken me under ypu wing in the 10th grade at what back then was called SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL.
I have never forgotten your kind loving passion for your students and school. I have never forgotten, and oftened wondered where you were and what you did after leaving SOUTH. God bless you and thank you for all you did for all your children as you use to call us.
Gone but never forgotten, EVER.
My prayers are with your family
Jennifer Talbert
January 6, 2013
Really wish we could have gotten to know each other better!May you rest in peace Grandpa Wright.Love you always
charlie Dunn
January 6, 2013
What a great principal, mentor and father. Will be missed
January 6, 2013
I was sorry to hear of John's death. I took up the trombone in the ninth grade at Greenon in 1962 and Mr. Wright was my trombone teacher and band director that year. I took private lessons with John for the next three years and would go to his house each Saturday during the school year for lessons. He was a great teacher and a good man. I still play the trombone thanks to his great teachings.
Fred Ridenour
linda lafayette-daniel
January 6, 2013
rest in peace, Principal Wright. you are God's humble servant. You helped many students...the teaching goes on...
January 6, 2013
Men like John Wright don't come this way very often, if ever. He came as close as anyone at being a perfect human being. I'm so lucky he was my cousin.
Marilyn Wright Reeve
Deborah Mesley
January 6, 2013
Tom and family
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your dad. He was a special neighbor. Debbie priest mesley
Jacquie (Harner) Robbins
January 6, 2013
My condolences to friends and family. Very sad day. I remember him well and knew him to be a good person. RIP Mr. Wright!
william owen
January 6, 2013
Sorry to hear of your loss Mr Wright really loved his job and showed a lot of compassion toward people I was never scared to see him wheni was sent to the office he was a great role model for many
January 6, 2013
DEAR TOM AND FAMILY,
I WAS SORRY TO READ ABOUT YOUR LOSS. OUR LOVE AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS TIME.
CHRIS, DOUG, BRIAN AND GRANDPARENTS
TIM Whitacre
January 6, 2013
So sorry for your loss, he was our newspaper carrier in Sunnyland until we moved in '99. He seemed like a VERY Nice person.
Ronnie and Donna Givens
January 6, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to you Nancy and your family. May the Peace of God be with you.
Theresa KATON
January 6, 2013
I was a Student of Mr Wright at Greenon High School. He was a wonderful teacher and several of my classmates and I have great memories of him. My prayers and thoughts are with the family. Theresa(Teri)Gochenouer Katon
Dorothy (Dottie) Corbin-Reynolds
January 6, 2013
Josh & Family: Sorry to hear of the passing of your Grandfather. I know how close the 2 of you were. Mr Wright was a lovely person. Had my sons at South High and he was a pleasant person to be around. I will keep you all in my prayers and God Bless each one of you.
Mary Jane & Tom
January 6, 2013
John will be greatly missed.
Amy Robey-Spaugy
January 6, 2013
My sincere condolences.
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