In Memory Of
John William Wright
1927
2020
John William Wright
November 22, 1927 — December 15, 2020
John William Wright, 93, passed away peacefully at his home on December 15, 2020.
He was born in South East London on November 22, 1927 to John and Grace (Byford) Wright.
John was evacuated to Wales during World War II along with his sister Grace after both of their parents had died of different illnesses. After the war, he served from 1946 to 1948 in the National Service, as an Army private in the Wiltshire Regiment. He was stationed in Hamburg, Germany during that time. Upon his return to London, he found work learning the painting and papering trade, as work was plentiful during the rebuilding of the city. He was not afraid of heights which he said gave him an advantage in getting certain jobs. In December 1949 he married Peggy Maud (Finch). In October of 1960 they immigrated to the United States to be near Peggy's twin sister, Betty, her husband Charles, and family in Topeka, Kansas.
John found work as a painter working for different contractors in Topeka until he started his own company in the mid-60s and again found work to be plentiful after the destruction of the 1966 tornado that went through Topeka. His work could be found across the greater Topeka area from the tiniest of houses to Topeka's water treatment plant, St. Francis Hospital and the Discovering Apes building at the Topeka Zoo. A family business, sons Chris and Andrew and sometimes nephews Jim and John (Sanders) painted with him in the early days. Wife Peggy ran the office and kept the books, and daughter Laura sometimes delivered paint to job sites and tallied figures when John worked up job bids. Chris continued working with John until John's retirement in 1993.
John was a member of First United Methodist Church in Topeka, the Painter's Local Union 96, and the Moose Lodge. He was devoted to his work and family. At the weekends, he and Peggy could be found out dancing with Charles and Betty at the Moose Lodge or American Legion. Other favorite pastimes were, redecorating his house, watching movies, and keeping current on British dramas on PBS. He had a great sense of humor, an impeccable sense of style, and always rooted for the underdog.
John was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Peggy, his sister, Grace Dobson, brother-in-law, Cyril Dobson and grandson, Jonathan Wright. Brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles and Betty Sanders and Bogdan and Joan Muth also preceded him in death, as well as nephew Andrew Muth. John was the last of his generation.
Survivors include his children, Christopher Wright, Andrew Wright (Cindy), and Laura Gettys (Mark); grandchildren, Jessica Wright and Jill Miller (Brad); great granddaughters, Elise, Lucy and Claire Miller; step grandchildren, Renae Skrzypek (Steve), Rachele Harrison, Robbie Anderson, Kyleen McGovern (Brad), Krista Sherman (Tony), and Nathan Haley. Stateside nephews and nieces, James Sanders (Theresa), John Sanders (Gina), Jane Opp (Gilbert) and Jennifer Waters (Chris) and in the UK, Sandra Nicholls (Vince), Dean Dobson and Jacqueline Harding (Phillip) and many great nieces and nephews.
A graveside memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Memorial Park Cemetery, 3616 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66606. Interment will follow.
Those in attendance are asked to wear facial masks and practice social distancing. The family hopes to have a celebration of John's life later in 2021.
Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.
Penwell-Gabel Cremations, Funerals and Receptions, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604 is assisting the family.
To leave a special message for John's family, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born in South East London on November 22, 1927 to John and Grace (Byford) Wright.
John was evacuated to Wales during World War II along with his sister Grace after both of their parents had died of different illnesses. After the war, he served from 1946 to 1948 in the National Service, as an Army private in the Wiltshire Regiment. He was stationed in Hamburg, Germany during that time. Upon his return to London, he found work learning the painting and papering trade, as work was plentiful during the rebuilding of the city. He was not afraid of heights which he said gave him an advantage in getting certain jobs. In December 1949 he married Peggy Maud (Finch). In October of 1960 they immigrated to the United States to be near Peggy's twin sister, Betty, her husband Charles, and family in Topeka, Kansas.
John found work as a painter working for different contractors in Topeka until he started his own company in the mid-60s and again found work to be plentiful after the destruction of the 1966 tornado that went through Topeka. His work could be found across the greater Topeka area from the tiniest of houses to Topeka's water treatment plant, St. Francis Hospital and the Discovering Apes building at the Topeka Zoo. A family business, sons Chris and Andrew and sometimes nephews Jim and John (Sanders) painted with him in the early days. Wife Peggy ran the office and kept the books, and daughter Laura sometimes delivered paint to job sites and tallied figures when John worked up job bids. Chris continued working with John until John's retirement in 1993.
John was a member of First United Methodist Church in Topeka, the Painter's Local Union 96, and the Moose Lodge. He was devoted to his work and family. At the weekends, he and Peggy could be found out dancing with Charles and Betty at the Moose Lodge or American Legion. Other favorite pastimes were, redecorating his house, watching movies, and keeping current on British dramas on PBS. He had a great sense of humor, an impeccable sense of style, and always rooted for the underdog.
John was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Peggy, his sister, Grace Dobson, brother-in-law, Cyril Dobson and grandson, Jonathan Wright. Brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles and Betty Sanders and Bogdan and Joan Muth also preceded him in death, as well as nephew Andrew Muth. John was the last of his generation.
Survivors include his children, Christopher Wright, Andrew Wright (Cindy), and Laura Gettys (Mark); grandchildren, Jessica Wright and Jill Miller (Brad); great granddaughters, Elise, Lucy and Claire Miller; step grandchildren, Renae Skrzypek (Steve), Rachele Harrison, Robbie Anderson, Kyleen McGovern (Brad), Krista Sherman (Tony), and Nathan Haley. Stateside nephews and nieces, James Sanders (Theresa), John Sanders (Gina), Jane Opp (Gilbert) and Jennifer Waters (Chris) and in the UK, Sandra Nicholls (Vince), Dean Dobson and Jacqueline Harding (Phillip) and many great nieces and nephews.
A graveside memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Memorial Park Cemetery, 3616 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66606. Interment will follow.
Those in attendance are asked to wear facial masks and practice social distancing. The family hopes to have a celebration of John's life later in 2021.
Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.
Penwell-Gabel Cremations, Funerals and Receptions, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604 is assisting the family.
To leave a special message for John's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John William Wright, please visit our flower store.
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