Gerry Wallace Wright, MSG-US Army-USMC-Retired of Valrico, FL funeral will be held on Friday, February 12, 2010 at the 1st Assembly of God Church,
2087 East County Road 470,
Sumterville, FL 33585 (Exit # 321 of Interstate Highway 75). The family will receive friends at the church at 10am Friday morning with a brief service to begin at 1pm, officiated by Pastor
Joshua Ortiz. Full military honors and graveside services are to follow the church service and will begin at 2:30pm at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102 Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513 (Exit # 309 of Interstate Highway 75) with Captain Arthur Nave, Chaplin of Marion County, to officiate.
MSG Wright served our nation for over 20 years in the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army as a Configuration Management Officer/Cmpt Prg Supv. During his military career, he was awarded a Good Conduct Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm; sOverseas Service Ribbon with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; Joint Service Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster and the Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Computer Sciences. Upon retirement from the US Army, he worked for GTE Government Systems and the Vitro Corporation at the US European Command, Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany and moved to Valrico, FL in 1998. He was a 32nd Degree Mason; a Shriner; a member of American Legion Post 135; PVA; DAV; and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. MSG Wright was assigned to the inauguration of President Ronald W. Reagan and during his US Army career; he received countless letters of commendation and recommendations. He also was the President of his high school class, Sabattus High School Class of 1968.
Gerry is survived by his loving family; two daughters, Natasha Wright of Valrico, FL and Arrica Cooper, her husband, Robert and Gerry’s expected grandchild, Sydney Wright Cooper of Spring Hill, FL; his mother Rowena Wright of Sabattus, ME; a sister, Shelia Ortiz and her husband, Frank of Elizabeth, NJ and nephew Joshua Ortiz and niece Jennifer Meza, her husband Javier their two children Alex and Devon. Gerry’s loving father, Wallace Edward Wright died February 8, 2010.
Gerry had a car accident February 26, 1998 in Germany and was paralyzed. At one point in time, the attending physician told Gerry he would never walk again. Being a strong-willed retired GI, Gerry never conceded to such a prognosis. Instead, Gerry demonstrated his unprecedented resilience as he fought to regain movement and endeavored to walk again. In March 1998, while in physical therapy, some music was playing and Gerry was able to tap his foot about an inch, he even joked his therapist had no rhythm. From that point on, progress was slow and steady with Gerry determined to regain much of his former function. In 1998, Gerry was flown to Tampa, FL for further care and to be closer to his family.
Gerry was also a consummate sports fan, especially loyal to the World Champion New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys for the better part of fifty years.
On Friday February 5, 2010, Gerry passed away among family at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital.
In lieu of floral arrangements, donations can be made to The Fisher House Foundation, C/O James A. Haley VA Hospital. Mail Code # 122, Tampa, Florida 33612 in the memory of MSG Gerry W. Wright.
Veterans Funeral Care
727-524-9202
I would like to send my deepest condolences to Natasha and the rest of the Wright family.
There are no words to express how much you will be missed. I love you!
There are no words to express how much you will be missed. I love you!
There are no words to express how much you will be missed. I love you!
My handsome loving father, I love you!
We send our deepest condolences and all our love to the entire Wright Family. He will be missed and remembered always.
Love
Jennifer, Jeremy & Caley
My heartfelt sympathies to Natasha and her family for their loss. He will always be in your hearts….
It is with a heavy heart I send my condolences for the passing of a cousin, Gerry Wright.
Arrica and Natasha, I know the pain of losing a Dad and truly do share in you sadness at this time and wish I could be there with you. You will find that as time goes by, your sadness will turn into happy memories of your close and special relationship with your Dad. Try to be strong.
Diana, I know you will always hold a special place in your heart for Gerry as the father of your children and also as your childhood sweetheart and friend. You can find peace in knowing the wonderful years Gerry lived were enhanced so much from the love and care of your 2 daughters. You were always there to encourage this knowing he was a good father to them as well as a friend to you.
To Gerry’s Mom, I send you my deepest condolences as well having just learned you also lost your husband this past week! This is a lot of pain for one person to handle and I hope God blesses you to help you deal with this tremendous loss. I will include you in my prayers and hope that the grandbaby due to arrive very soon will help fill this huge void left in your life at this time. I am sure you will find it very comforting to know that a part of Gerry and your husband (the baby’s grand-father and great grand-father) live on in this little miracle called Sydney Wright Cooper.
To all the people (friends and family) who were touched by Gerry’s life, I wish you l peace and the time you will need to heal knowing that the passing of a person is not the end; in faith, we all know that this is just the beginning of a new life, a perfect life free of pain and all the good we have been promised by our Lord.
God bless you all,
Rolande (Maine)
My heart goes out to Natasha and Arrica and the entire Wright family at this difficult time. To lose Gerry and his dad Wallace in the same week is a huge loss, but I hope it brings a little peace in your hearts to know that they will be at heavens door “together”. On behalf of the entire Poussard family in Maine, God bless all of you and you are in our prayers.
My deepest condolences to the entire Wright family. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
we’re sharing your sorrow and offering deepest sympathy. Hope it helps to know that many heartfelt thoughts are with You and Your family.
Elizabeth & Jack
My thoughts and prayers are with Natasha and her family during this time of grief. May your memories give you strength…
THE LUTZ PATRIOTS OF LUTZ, FLORIDA SEND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES IN THE LOSS OF MSG WRIGHT. EVERY FRIDAY IN OUR HOMETOWN, WE WAVE AMERICAN FLAGS TO HONOR SUCH HEROES. HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY WILL BE APPRECIATED FOREVER. lutzpatriots.com
My thoughts and prayers are with Natasha and her family. I know you’ll move on with dignity and grace while forever keeping your father close in your heart and your spirit.
Arrica and Tasha,
Our sincerest condolences to both of you on the passing of your Father, my good bowling buddy, Gerry.
I had two conversations with him during the Christmas Season. And, as always, he was as enthusiastic as ever regarding his recovery. His fighting spirit was outstanding.
Oddly enough, I mentioned to Nita about a week ago that I needed to call Gerry again. But as so often happens, I procrastinated too much. I feel badly about that.
But on the other hand, I was happy that he and I had a couple of conversations in which we shared happy memories of bowling and other good times in Stuttgart.
Thanks again for the sad update.
you were one cool dude..thanks for taking me and natasha skiing